Christ Stopped at Eboli: Analysis of Major Characters
"Christ Stopped at Eboli" presents an exploration of several key characters against the backdrop of a small, remote village in southern Italy during the Fascist regime. The central figure, Carlo Levi, is a compassionate and observant physician and political prisoner, whose artistic sensibilities lead him to reflect deeply on the conditions and traditions of the villagers around him. Luigi Magalone, the smug and self-satisfied mayor, embodies the oppressive regime, relishing his power while enforcing Fascist laws. In contrast, Giulia Venere, Levi's housekeeper, is a hardworking woman steeped in superstition, whose practical wisdom offers insights into village life and beliefs.
Other notable characters include Don Giuseppe Trajella, the bitter parish priest, whose anger reflects a lifetime of frustration, and the elderly doctors Dr. Milillo and Dr. Gibilisco, both representing the challenges of medical practice in a repressive environment. Lastly, Donna Caterina Magalone Cuscianna, the mayor's sister, wields significant influence in the village, driven by personal vendettas and her position within the Fascist Party. Together, these characters paint a complex portrait of life under authoritarian rule, highlighting themes of power, tradition, and the human condition.
Christ Stopped at Eboli: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Carlo Levi
First published: Cristo si e fermato a Eboli, 1945 (English translation, 1947)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Gagliano, a small town in southern Italy
Plot: Social realism
Time: 1935–1936
Carlo Levi (LAY-vee), a physician and political prisoner, the narrator and protagonist of the story. Kind, contemplative, artistic, and observant, he has a deep compassion for those who are poor, ill, and disadvantaged. A painter by vocation, he would prefer merely to observe without becoming directly involved, but he cannot. His political imprisonment involves being sent to live in a small and remote southern Italian village, where he is watched closely at all times. He records the experiences and the impressions of his sojourn.
Luigi Magalone (lew-EE-gee mah-gah-LOH-neh), the mayor. Smug and self-satisfied, the Fascist mayor enjoys the power and the prestige of his position. He gives orders to the prisoners for the sheer pleasure of seeing his requests enacted and is particularly zealous in the literal and unwavering application of Fascist laws and regulations in his village.
Giulia Venere (jee-EW-leeah veh-NEH-rah), Carlo Levi's housekeeper. She is a middle-aged woman who is hardworking, unemotional, and strong. She is ignorant but is naturally intelligent and practical. Her life is linked to superstitions and traditions. Despite her natural wisdom and knowledge of life, she firmly believes in the magical powers of curses, potions, and incantations. the world has no secrets for her and no illusions, but she holds in great reverence and fear the realm of the spiritual and of the intangible. It is from her that Carlo learns much about the traditions and folklore of the village, and about the villagers themselves.
Don Giuseppe Trajella (jee-ew-SEHP-peh trah-EHL-lah), the parish priest. Old and ailing, his most visible characteristics are those of rancor and bitterness toward the entire village. Although bright and cultured, he has no interest other than venting and feeding his anger and his unhappiness. He has been in the parish for many years, having been assigned there as punishment for misconduct. the entire village ridicules, persecutes, and torments him.
Dr. Milillo (mee-LEEL-loh), an elderly physician and uncle of the mayor. He is a man whose seventy years of age have made his movements slow and his voice shaky. A gentle and well-intentioned man, he remembers very little about medicine and is ill-equipped to tend to the sick. He feels threatened by Dr. Levi's arrival and is reassured by the latter that his place will not be usurped.
Dr. Gibilisco (jee-bee-LEE-skoh), a physician. Like Dr. Milillo, he too is an elderly practitioner. A meticulous dresser and man of imposing presence, he projects an image of confidence that conceals a profound ignorance of the medical profession. An exacting and mistrusting man, he demands payment from even the poorest of patients. His profession, in his view, makes him superior to the rest of the villagers and assigns him control over their life and death.
Donna Caterina Magalone Cuscianna (kah-tehr-EE-nah mah-gah-LOH-nay kew-SHEEAH-nah), the head of the local Fascist Party and sister of the mayor. She is open, cordial, hospitable, and maternal. In addition, she is clever, calculating, and powerful. From her privileged position as sister of the mayor and head of the Fascist Party in the village, she has as much to say about what happens in town as Magalone himself. Her driving force is hatred toward certain women in the village, in particular the pharmacist's daughter, whom she believes to be her husband's lover.