I think that it is good of Edmond to help M. Morrel, the man who employed him and later watched over his family, physically and financially protecting his fiancee and father, while he was imprisoned. Now that M. Morrel is one in physical and financial danger, it is Edmond's turn to pay back the favor of loyalty and true friendship.

Edmond employs the use of pine in the crafting of his new merchant vessel that he will deliver to the salvation of the Morrel business and family. Pine is a strong and resilient timber that when fashioned for sea makes for some of the finest sailing. In purchasing the pine, Dantes is sparing no expense to compensate his friend and pay him back in full.

All of this, and for most of the book many of his other beneficial actions, Dantes does anonymously. Dumas' character, and Dumas himself, bring to mind a long known and debated question regarding the values and motives spurring deeds that affect people other than just the do-er. Dantes helps anonymously, but is doing so only so that he may feel better about repaying his own debts. Is he satisfying his own soul and feeling good about what he does even though the people thank his alias and not Dantes himself? Or is he really doing this out of pure selflessness for the benefit of others?

Dumas' writings help us to better understand the character and the way he thinks, but sometimes we cannot know his motives. Would the author think that by showing us the motives that he might be spoiling the significant ending of the novel?