prison without bars

Recently I was assigned an art project that had to be inspired by a song or a work of literature. Since I'm currently reading the Count of Monte Cristo, I chose to represent it.

I sometimes have a hard time communicating the full meaning of the symbolism of my artwork (I guess--ideally--it's supposed to do that for itself....oh well.), but I'm going to give it a try.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the story...it's about a man named Edmond Dantes is obsessed with exacting vengeance upon his enemies--who had sent him to the Chateau D'if for.....(was it 14 years??).....er.........a very long time. While he was imprisoned there, he met a priest who tried to dissuade him, but it was in vain. Even after his escape from the Chateau D'if, Dantes was trapped within his self-destructive quest for vengeance, his "prison without bars."

charcoal, 18"x24"
no references