History: Analysis of Major Characters
"History: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate lives of several key figures against the backdrop of war and personal turmoil. Central to the narrative is Ida Ramundo, a frail widow and schoolteacher, whose life is marked by her struggles with estrangement and health issues, compounded by the trauma of her past and her role as a mother. Her teenage son, Nino Mancuso, characterized by his reckless nature and ego, becomes embroiled in various conflicts, reflecting the chaotic environment around him. In contrast, her younger son, Giuseppe, embodies innocence and sensitivity, often finding solace in his connection with animals and his loyal dog, Bella, who serves as his confidant.
Davide Segre, an escaped prisoner, grapples with the haunting memories of loss and fear, seeking camaraderie with Nino amidst the turmoil of war. Each character's journey reveals the profound impact of their experiences, highlighting themes of resilience, familial bonds, and the struggle for survival against external threats. This analysis serves as a poignant reflection on the human condition during times of crisis, inviting readers to consider the complexities of individual lives intertwined with historical events.
History: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Elsa Morante
First published: La storia, 1974 (English translation, 1977)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Rome and its environs
Plot: Historical realism
Time: World War II
Ida Ramundo (EE-dah rah-MEWN-doh), a widow and schoolteacher, the mother of two children. After the death of her mother, she discovers that she is half Jewish. She is frail and timid, and her life is a daily battle against a threatening and aggressive world. Her general sense of estrangement from society is exacerbated by her suffering from occasional epilepsy-like seizures. Impressionable and imaginative, she is also quite prone to troubling and powerful dreams that continue to haunt her during her waking hours. She worries about her teenage son, but her greatest concern is the care of her infant boy, the product of her rape by a German soldier. She becomes tenacious and unrelenting in her support of his well-being. Her life during the war becomes a constant struggle against the very visible enemies of deportation, hunger, and aggression.
Nino Mancuso (NEE-noh), Ida's teenage son. From the beginning, he shows a reckless disposition and a rebelliousness against any rule or form of constraint. Self-absorbed and egotistical, he has an endearing and carefree quality that he uses to manipulate others. Irresistibly attracted to glamour and adventure, he throws himself wholeheartedly and unquestioningly into various activities, only to become bored or to find something else more enticing. He involves himself in Fascism, antifascism, and later the black market. The only true interest he takes in another human being is that which he shows toward Giuseppe, his young half brother. He is killed while fleeing the police in a van carrying stolen weapons.
Giuseppe Ramundo (jee-ew-SEHP-peh), usually called Useppe, the younger son of Ida. Born from the rape of his mother by a German soldier, he comes into the world with a sunny and peaceful disposition. He is exceptionally sensitive, perceptive, and gentle. As he grows older, he displays a love for animals and shows an uncanny ability to communicate with them. His friendliness, innocence, and openness make him instantly popular wherever he goes. He becomes increasingly prone to epileptic seizures, which leave him not only weak and exhausted but also at times confused and taciturn. The effects of the war take their toll on the boy's health and on his psyche.
Davide Segre (dah-VEE-day SEH-gray), alias Carlo Vivaldi, an escaped prisoner. He is haunted both by the possibility of being recaptured and by his memories of his past imprisonment and the deportation of family and friends. He discovers that his parents and sister, whom he rejected, were killed in a concentration camp. His restlessness and the fears from which he cannot rid himself prompt him to join forces with Nino in his partisan band. In Nino, he finds a friend and companion. After the war, he dies of a drug overdose.
Bella, a dog. She plays an important part in the story as Giuseppe's good and trusted friend. She is companion, protectress, and confidant to the boy. At times, she appears to him to be his only friend and the only one who knows all of his secrets.