Lives of the Saints: Analysis of Major Characters
**Overview of "Lives of the Saints: Analysis of Major Characters"**
"Lives of the Saints: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate lives of its central figures set in the village of Valle de Sol, Italy, during the 1960s. The narrative primarily follows Vittorio Innocente, a young boy grappling with familial shame and societal gossip stemming from his mother Cristina's affair, which ultimately leads to her tragic death. Cristina, a strong-willed woman, defies the traditional gender roles of her community but faces severe backlash after her infidelity and subsequent pregnancy. The story also delves into the complexities of Vittorio's grandfather, a World War II veteran and mayor, who struggles with public disgrace and familial loyalty.
Supporting characters like Fabrizio, Vittorio's rebellious friend, and Antonio Di Lucci, the village bar owner, further illustrate the themes of friendship, betrayal, and the consequences of societal superstitions. Each character's journey reveals the intertwining of personal struggles with broader cultural norms, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals against the backdrop of judgment and expectation. This exploration provides a poignant commentary on the human experience, particularly in the context of family dynamics and social stigma.
Lives of the Saints: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Nino Ricci
Alternate Title: The Book of Saints
First published: 1990
Genre: Novel
Locale: Valle del Sole, Italy
Plot: Social criticism
Time: 1960
Vittorio Innocente, a seven-year-old boy living with his mother and grandfather in the small village of Valle de Sol, Italy. He is an intelligent boy though he often skips school to wander in the nearby mountains with his friend Fabrizio. Like many boys his age, Vittorio's mind wanders during the summer months, which makes it difficult to study. While attempting to study mathematics outside of his grandfather's house one day in July 1960, he hears a scream from the stable. When he investigates the yell, he sees a snake slither away from the stable, as well as a running, blue-eyed man. He finds his mother inside. Initially, he does not understand the connection between the man and his mother, but gradually he learns about her affair. As gossip spreads about his family, Vittorio is beaten up at school and his teacher gives him a book about the lives of the Catholic saints. Through it, he learns about Santa Cristina, whose life of disgrace mirrors that of his mother. Eventually, Cristina decides to leave Italy with Vittorio, but she dies giving birth on the boat ride to Canada. He is then reunited with his father.
Cristina Innocente, Vittorio's mother who spends her days tending to her father's farm. She has a strong personality and is fiercely independent, which makes her a unique woman in a village where women are subservient to the men. Her husband, Mario, abused her, and when he left for Canada, she begins having an affair with a blue-eyed German man. One day, she is bitten by a snake while having sexual relations with the man in her father's stable. This event leads to the rest of Valle del Sole shunning the Innocente family, as the superstitious villagers believe she was bitten by the snake as punishment for her sins against God. She becomes pregnant—a further detriment to her standing among the villagers. They begin spreading rumors about her, at which she initially scoffs. Despite being warned by her childhood friend Giuseppina, Cristina becomes more indignant with the villagers. In the end, the ridicule becomes too much for her to bear, and she flees Italy with Vittorio. On the boat, Cristina goes into early labor and dies.
Vittorio's grandfather, Cristina's father, a World War II veteran and mayor of Valle del Sole since the fascists took over Italy. During the war, a grenade scarred his calves and a horse crushed the bone in one of his legs, leaving it shorter than the other. Since then, his main source of income is a government pension. Though he is the mayor, the villagers hold him in low regard because they believe he sold out to the Fascists. Because of this, he lives on the outskirts of town, where he grows olives and grapes. Still, he follows the strict religious beliefs of the village. When he learns that Cristina has become pregnant from her affair with the blue-eyed man, he joins the villagers in shunning her. He feels great shame due to his daughter's actions, which drives him to resign from his post as mayor.
Mario Innocente, Vittorio's father who immigrated to Canada when the boy was three. He went there to establish employment and a home so that Vittorio and Cristina could emigrate from Italy. Mario writes them every month, in handwriting that Vittorio describes as a “violent scribble.” His absence has left Cristina feeling abandoned, and to Vittorio, Mario is nothing but a bad memory. When he was still in Valle de Sol, he was physically abusive toward Cristina. Once, he hit her in the face, leaving a scar.
Fabrizio, one of Vittorio's classmates and his closest friend. He is one year older than Vittorio, who naively looks up to Fabrizio as a mentor. Fabrizio is a bad influence, however, and often convinces Vittorio to skip school to go smoking or fighting. He is a rebellious delinquent who frequently gives Vittorio misinformation in the form of wisdom. His loyalty is strong, though, and he comes to Vittorio's rescue when bullies at school attack him.
Antonio Di Lucci, a bar owner and the only villager in Valle del Sole who owns a car. When the snake bites Cristina, he drives her to the hospital, which later makes him the catalyst for the rest of the village shunning Cristina. Like the other villagers, he too is highly superstitious. During their drive, Di Lucci presses Cristina with questions over what happened in the stable. She lies to him, but Di Lucci senses this and tells the other villagers that she is hiding something.
The blue-eyed man, a former German soldier who defected during World War II and stayed behind in Italy. When Vittorio sees him fleeing the stable, he thinks he sees the man's eyes glowing like fire. Later, the blue-eyed man visits Vittorio in the infirmary after Cristina dies during childbirth.