Ali

Ali is the Nubian mute slave of the Count of Monte Cristo, a figure of profound devotion and extraordinary physical prowess who serves as the count's most trusted agent. His silence, imposed by a cruel punishment in his past, makes him an almost spectral presence, yet his actions speak with a force that commands respect and fear. From the grotto of Monte Cristo to the salons of Paris, Ali is the living instrument of the count's will, executing tasks that range from the mundane to the lethal with an unerring precision that marks him as far more than a mere servant.

Identity and Background

Ali's origins lie in a brutal act of royal justice. He was a Nubian slave who had been caught wandering too near the harem of the Bey of Tunis, a transgression for which he was condemned to have his tongue cut out, his hand cut off, and his head cut off, the punishments to be carried out on successive days. The Count of Monte Cristo, desiring a mute servant, intervened on the day Ali's tongue was removed. He offered the Bey a splendid double-barreled gun and an English cutlass in exchange for the slave's life and remaining limbs. The Bey agreed, on the condition that Ali never again set foot in Tunis, a clause the slave obeys with such terror that he hides below deck whenever the yacht approaches the African coast. This act of purchase and salvation forged a bond of absolute loyalty, with Ali kissing his master's hand in gratitude.

Role and Service

Ali is the count's most versatile and formidable servant, entrusted with tasks requiring both immense physical strength and delicate skill. He is the count's personal attendant, appearing at his side in the grotto of Monte Cristo, where he serves a sumptuous supper, and later in Paris, where he drives the count's carriage. His abilities are extraordinary: he can throw a lasso with such precision that he can stop an ox, a tiger, or even a lion in its tracks. This skill is put to dramatic use when he stops the runaway horses of Madame de Villefort, a pair of dappled grays that had been given to Madame Danglars by the count. Ali, at a signal from his master, throws his lasso, catches the forelegs of the near horse, and is dragged for a few steps before the animal falls, preventing a catastrophic accident. He then seizes the nostrils of the second horse, holding it until it sinks beside its companion. This act of heroism saves the lives of Madame de Villefort and her son Edward, earning the count's gratitude and further cementing Ali's reputation as a being of almost superhuman capability.

Relationship with the Count

The bond between Ali and the Count of Monte Cristo is one of profound, silent understanding. The count communicates with Ali through a system of gongs and gestures, and Ali responds with a pantomime that the count interprets with perfect clarity. When the count strikes a gong once, it is for Ali; twice, for his valet Baptistin; and three times, for his steward Bertuccio. Ali's loyalty is absolute, born from the count's having saved his life. The count, in turn, treats Ali with a unique blend of authority and paternal care, referring to him as a "dog" who would be killed, not dismissed, for failure, yet also showing him a gentleness that surprises others. This relationship is a stark contrast to the count's dealings with his French servants, whom he warns with cold precision. Ali, however, is beyond such warnings; his devotion is instinctive and unquestioning.

Narrative Significance

Ali serves as a living symbol of the Count of Monte Cristo's power, wealth, and reach. He is a piece of the exotic, dangerous East that the count has brought to the heart of Paris, a constant reminder of the count's mysterious past and his absolute control over his domain. His silent, imposing presence at the opera, where he stands guard outside the count's box, draws the attention of the fashionable crowd, who marvel at the Nubian as much as at the count himself. More than a mere servant, Ali is an extension of the count's will, a weapon and a shield, whose very existence underscores the theme of absolute loyalty and the profound, often wordless, bonds that can form between a master and a servant who has been saved from death.