28 uses
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1 —9 uses as in:
What is her motive?
Definition
a reason for doing something
- Eight o'clock found Franz up and dressed, while Albert, who had not the same motives for early rising, was still soundly asleep.Chapters 33-34 (94% in)
- —motives of hatred against Dantes?Chapters 3-4 (78% in)
- In fact, the minister, who, in the plenitude of his power, had been unable to unearth Napoleon's secret, might in despair at his own downfall interrogate Dantes and so lay bare the motives of Villefort's plot.Chapters 11-12 (24% in)
- How do you know the motives that person may have for trying to extract all he can from you?Chapters 25-26 (82% in)
- "It is true," said Valentine, as she passed the end of her slender fingers through a small opening in the planks, and permitted Maximilian to press his lips to them, "and you are a true and faithful friend; but still you acted from motives of self-interest, my dear Maximilian, for you well knew that from the moment in which you had manifested an opposite spirit all would have been ended between us.Chapters 51-52 (20% in)
- I believe that this singular man, who appears to fathom the motives of every one, has purposely arranged for me to meet M. and Madame de Villefort, and sometimes, I confess, I have gone so far as to try to read in his eyes whether he was in possession of the secret of our love.Chapters 57-58 (44% in)
- The eye of Noirtier clearly showed by its expression that he was not deceived by the false assent given by Madame de Villefort's words and manner to the motives which she supposed him to entertain.Chapters 59-60 (29% in)
- You must be aware, at all events, that it is impossible for me to understand motives before they are explained to me; but one thing at least is clear, which is, that you decline allying yourself with my family.Chapters 77-78 (69% in)
- "My daughter," continued the banker, "you have perfectly explained to me the sentiments which influence a girl like you, who is determined she will not marry; now it remains for me to tell you the motives of a father like me, who has decided that his daughter shall marry."Chapters 95-96 (22% in)
There are no more uses of "motive" flagged with this meaning in The Count of Monte Cristo.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
? —19 uses
exact meaning not specified
- Danglars accompanied him to the door, where he again assured Albert that no motive of personal hatred had influenced him against the Count of Morcerf.Chapters 87-88 (40% in)
- "I know not why you meddle," said Fernand, seizing his arm; "but this I know, you have some motive of personal hatred against Dantes, for he who himself hates is never mistaken in the sentiments of others."Chapters 3-4 (77% in)
- "Ah, I forgot," said Louis, smiling in a manner which proved that all these questions were not made without a motive; "I forgot you and M. Noirtier are not on the best terms possible, and that is another sacrifice made to the royal cause, and for which you should be recompensed."Chapters 11-12 (42% in)
- They have, perhaps, some motive to serve in hastening the ruin of a rival firm.Chapters 27-28 (78% in)
- Morrel had long thought of Danglars, but had kept away from some instinctive motive, and had delayed as long as possible availing himself of this last resource.Chapters 29-30 (54% in)
- "But," said Franz, in his turn interrupting his host's meditations, "you had some motive for coming here, may I beg to know what it was?"Chapters 33-34 (6% in)
- "My dear Albert," returned Franz, "your answer is sublime, and worthy the 'Let him die,' of Corneille, only, when Horace made that answer, the safety of Rome was concerned; but, as for us, it is only to gratify a whim, and it would be ridiculous to risk our lives for so foolish a motive."Chapters 33-34 (9% in)
- Another motive had influenced Albert's selection of his seat,—who knew but that, thus advantageously placed, he might not in truth attract the notice of some fair Roman, and an introduction might ensue that would procure him the offer of a seat in a carriage, or a place in a princely balcony, from which he might behold the gayeties of the Carnival?Chapters 33-34 (70% in)
- In consequence, he brought them the key of his own—at least such was the apparent motive of his visit.Chapters 35-36 (87% in)
- You are most kind; but as regards myself, I can find no merit I possess, save that, as a millionaire, I might have become a partner in the speculations of M. Aguado and M. Rothschild; but as my motive in travelling to your capital would not have been for the pleasure of dabbling in stocks, I stayed away till some favorable chance should present itself of carrying my wish into execution.Chapters 37-38 (73% in)
- Nobody knows better than yourself that the bandits of Corsica are not rogues or thieves, but purely and simply fugitives, driven by some sinister motive from their native town or village, and that their fellowship involves no disgrace or stigma; for my own part, I protest that, should I ever go to Corsica, my first visit, ere even I presented myself to the mayor or prefect, should be to the bandits of Colomba, if I could only manage to find them; for, on my conscience, they are a race...Chapters 37-38 (92% in)
- "Still," persisted Franz, "I suppose you will allow that such men as Vampa and his band are regular villains, who have no other motive than plunder when they seize your person.Chapters 37-38 (93% in)
- "He is a philanthropist," answered the other; "and no doubt his motive in visiting Paris is to compete for the Monthyon prize, given, as you are aware, to whoever shall be proved to have most materially advanced the interests of virtue and humanity.Chapters 37-38 (98% in)
- Smuggling is a profitable trade, when a certain degree of vigor and intelligence is employed; as for myself, brought up in the mountains, I had a double motive for fearing the gendarmes and custom-house officers, as my appearance before the judges would cause an inquiry, and an inquiry always looks back into the past.Chapters 43-44 (55% in)
- By right of the objections you have raised, and the explanations you have demanded, which certainly must have some motive.Chapters 45-46 (85% in)
- "But with what motive have you learned all this?" inquired Villefort, in astonishment.Chapters 47-48 (73% in)
- Ah, maternal love is a great virtue, a powerful motive—so powerful that it excuses a multitude of things, even if, after Duncan's death, Lady Macbeth had been at all pricked by her conscience."Chapters 51-52 (92% in)
- But what could have been his motive for sending the cup to me?Chapters 53-54 (24% in)
- There was a doubtful expression in Noirtier's eyes; he was evidently trying to discover the motive of this proceeding, and he could not succeed in doing so.Chapters 77-78 (62% in)
There are no more uses of "motive" in The Count of Monte Cristo.
Typical Usage
(best examples)