The Gilmore Book Club

The One Thing That’s Better Than getting even

How would Rory Gilmore get revenge? There’s a scene in Gilmore Girls where Rory enlists her grandfather, Richard, to help her get back at a Yale schoolmate. If you’re a fan of the show, you probably know that Logan is the schoolmate in question and that this is a fantastic scene. If you’re not, here’s the short version. Logan and his friends barge into Rory’s class and perform a little skit that humiliates Rory. Later in the episode, Richard approaches Logan, saying that Logan’s charade was a sign of Logan’s feelings for Rory and that the plans for their wedding are already underway. Logan, the epitome of a playboy and the last person who’d be thinking of marriage, is left with a look of shock as Richard walks away. As Richard exits, he signals to Rory who is concealed behind a corner, watching the entire ruse. In the case of choosing between the high road and getting even, Rory chooses revenge. 

Edmond Dantès does the same. After spending countless days in prison with only the heat of his anger to keep him company, Dantès finally meets a friend, the Abbé Faria. The old Abbé begins to instruct Dantès in literature, science, and the ways of the world. But wisdom is not the only thing the Abbé has to offer. He also reveals the key to a secret treasure, concealed in the grottos of the island of Monte Cristo.

The Count of Monte Cristo unflinchingly carried out his vengeance until he realized that there were still a few in the world whom he loved and whom he had also unintentionally wounded during his quest for retribution. Despite so many years of planning and plotting, of careful maneuvering and waiting, he put an end to his malevolence. Instead, he began to focus on transforming the lives of his loved ones. He used his cunning to help two lovers escape from death and from their disapproving families. He awarded small fortunes to those who had helped him so many years ago. He began to value love, goodness, and bestowing rewards.

I have experienced tragedies, but I don’t have to experience the fate of Monte Cristo to recognize the devastation that revenge can wreak upon one’s life. So many books, so many films and TV shows have shown that though it may feel good for a little while, revenge comes with a hefty price, one I’m not willing to pay. The love of my family and friends, my life, my soul- these things are too valuable to risk in such a scheme.  The Count of Monte Cristo and countless others have shown me that. Revenge would transform my soul into that of someone else. Perhaps into the Countess of Monte Cristo. But a Countess, alone in a cavern, accompanied only by the cold glint of gold, is a fate I couldn’t bear.

I’ve had many misfortunes, but I’ve been fortunate too. The Count changed his outlook late in his life, but I’m choosing to do so now. Instead of working toward revenge, I’m going to work toward something better. Instead of focusing on the people I want to prove wrong, I’m going to focus on the people I want to prove right. Over the years, there have been those who have put their trust in me.  They’ve invested their time, their wisdom, and friendship in me and have helped me to grow and become successful.  Those people gave me what proved to be golden opportunities in a time of despair: a job or an experience that I needed desperately and wanted tremendously. I’ve been lucky to have many of those people in my career so far. From my first internship out of college at FabFitFun to my current position at Easton International, there have been those that have changed my world for the better. I believe that all those misfortunes made me stronger, made me better, so that when the right people did come into my life, they’d see a better version of me than who I was before, and would see me for who I truly am.  Those companies gave me valuable mentors and true friends.  I’ll always be grateful for their respect, trust, and support. Both have given me opportunities to learn and advance my career in addition to granting me access to once-in-a-lifetime experiences. To them, to my family, to my true friends, I dedicate my future. And one day, perhaps, I’ll be able to show them a tremendous return on their investment in me. I want them to be proud to know me, to have worked with me, to have been a part of my journey.

But there’s more to it than that. I’d rather go through life as me. Me working to be my best, focusing my gaze on those who lift me up, and in turn, lifting others up with me. It’s no easy task, to be the bigger person, to offer forgiveness, and I’m not saying I’m good at it. All I can say is that I’m trying. Trying to forgive, trying to move on, and trying to focus on the good. And always, heeding the warning of the Count of Monte Cristo.

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