Acquainted with Grief: Analysis of Major Characters
"Acquainted with Grief: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the complex dynamics of a family struggling with the weight of grief and disillusionment. Central to the narrative is Gonzalo Pirobutirro de Eltino, a middle-aged engineer and writer burdened by a deep-seated grudge against society and his own family, particularly his mother, Elisabetta. Gonzalo's tumultuous emotions manifest in violent outbursts and harsh accusations against various societal groups, highlighting his misanthropic tendencies.
Elisabetta, Gonzalo’s mother, remains trapped in a world of illusion, preoccupied with maintaining a facade of wealth and status while neglecting her son's emotional turmoil. The story also features Doctor Higueroa, the family physician, who offers a societal perspective on Gonzalo's behavior, particularly his abusive treatment of Elisabetta. Additionally, the character of Cavaliere Trabatta illustrates the external consequences of societal issues, as he grapples with his own vulnerabilities after being victimized in a burglary. Together, these characters weave a poignant exploration of grief, illusion, and the often painful realities of human relationships.
Acquainted with Grief: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Carlo Emilio Gadda
First published: La cognizione del dolore, 1938–1941, serial; 1963, book; 1970, expanded (English translation, 1969, expanded)
Genre: Novel
Locale: The mythical city of Pastrufazio in Maradagàl, South America
Plot: Antistory
Time: 1925–1933
Gonzalo Pirobutirro de Eltino (gohn-ZAH-loh pee-rohbew-TEE-rroh day ehl-TEE-noh), a middle-aged engineer and writer. Gonzalo carries a grudge against everything and everyone, including his mother, father, and brother (the latter two are dead). He often abandons himself to bouts of anger and makes all kinds of violent accusations: He accuses the peons of thievery, the middle class of being society's disgrace, the rich of having taken advantage of the war to make money, and the military of being irresponsible warmongers. Often, Gonzalo not only insults and yells at his mother but also batters her. The last heir of the Pirobutirro family, Gonzalo basically is a misanthrope.
Elisabetta Francois Pirobutirro, Gonzalo's mother. Señora Elisabetta lives in a world of illusion. She believes that the family is still wealthy, and she is more concerned with the appearance of their social status than with the emotional problems of her son Gonzalo. She is obsessed with the memory of hersonwhodiedinthewar.
Doctor Higueroa (hee-gway-ROH-ah), the Pirobutirro family's physician. Doctor Higueroa, through his thoughts, symbolizes society's point of view in its perception of Gonzalo's personality and behavior, especially the way that Gonzalo treats his mother, Señora Elisabetta.
Cavaliere Trabatta (trah-BAHT-tah), Gonzalo's neighbor. Cavaliere Trabatta is the victim of a burglary after refusing the protection of the Nistitúo, a vigilante group. He hires mercenaries to be his guards instead, and it is they who find Señora Elisabetta after she is attacked.