Mastro-don Gesualdo: Analysis of Major Characters
"Mastro-don Gesualdo" is a novel that explores the life and complexities of Gesualdo Motta, an ambitious peasant who ascends to wealth and landownership. Despite his financial success, Gesualdo struggles with societal acceptance, facing disdain from both the peasantry and the gentry due to his origins. His marriage to Donna Bianca Trao, a poor gentlewoman seeking security, fails to bridge the divide between their worlds, leading to mutual exploitation and resentment. Their daughter, Isabella Motta, represents a different trajectory; she distances herself from her peasant roots and marries the duke di Leyra, who ultimately squanders her dowry and exploits her father's wealth.
The novel features a cast of characters that reflect the intricate social dynamics of the time, including family members like Don Diego and Don Ferdinando Trao, and servants such as Diodata, who navigates her own challenges linked to her relationship with Gesualdo. The relationships among these characters highlight themes of ambition, class conflict, and the quest for respectability. As Gesualdo's aspirations clash with the realities of social status, the narrative delves into the consequences of wealth and the emotional toll it takes on individuals and their connections. This multifaceted exploration of character and society invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human relationships and social hierarchies.
Mastro-don Gesualdo: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Giovanni Verga
First published: 1889 (English translation, 1893)
Genre: Novel
Locale: San Giovanni, Sicily
Plot: Social
Time: First half of the nineteenth century
Gesualdo Motta (geh-sew-AHL-doh MOHT-tah), an ambitious peasant whose business acumen has made him into a rich landowner. Desiring gentility along with his riches, he marries Donna Bianca Trao, but the marriage succeeds only in widening the gaps on both sides of his world, leaving him hated by the peasantry, scorned by the gentry, and used by all for the wealth he had hoped would bring him satisfaction.
Bianca Trao (bee-AHN-kah trah-oh), a poor gentlewoman who marries Gesualdo Motta in the hope that his riches will ease the financial burdens of her family.
Isabella Motta (ee-zah-BEHL-lah), the daughter of Bianca Trao and Gesualdo Motta, who gradually grows away from the peasant Motta and eventually becomes completely a Trao. She is given in marriage to the duke di Leyra.
The duke di Leyra, Isabella Motta's extravagant husband, who soon runs through her dowry and then despoils Gesualdo Motta of his property.
Don Diego and Don Ferdinando Trao, Bianca Trao's brothers.
Santo (SAHN-toh) and Speranza Motta (speh-RAHNzah), Gesualdo's brother and sister.
Fortunato Burgio (fohr-tew-NAH-toh bur-JEE-oh), Speranza Motta's husband.
Nunzio Motta (NEWN-zee-oh), Gesualdo Motta's father.
Baron Ninì Rubiera (nee-NEE rew-bee-EH-rah), Bianca Trao's cousin and her lover before her marriage to Gesualdo Motta, to whom Ninì eventually goes hopelessly indebt.
Baroness Rubiera, Ninì's mother, who refuses to allow her son to marry the fortuneless Bianca Trao.
Diodata (dee-oh-DAH-tah), Gesualdo Motta's faithful, humble servant and mistress, who is married off to Nani l'Orbo.
Nani l'Orbo (NAH-nee LOHR-boh), Gesualdo Motta's servant, married to Diodata. He blackmails his master, the father of Diodata's children, for support and property.
Baron Zacco (ZAHK-koh), a Trao relative and, when it suits his purposes, an ally of Gesualdo Motta.
Don Filippo Margarone (mahr-gah-ROH-neh), the local political leader.
Fifi Margarone, Don Filippo Margarone's daughter, the choice of Baroness Rubiera as a bride for her son Ninì.
Signora Aglae (AHG-lyay), an actress for whom Ninì goes in debt to Gesualdo Motta.
Madame Giuseppina Alosi (jee-ew-sehp-PEE-nah ahLOH-see), a widow married for her wealth by Baron Ninì Rubiera.
Donna Sarina (sah-REE-nah) or Cirmena (cheer-MEHnah), a poor Trao relative, the sole family representative at Bianca Trao's wedding to Gesualdo Motta.
Corrado la Gurna (kohr-RAH-doh), Donna Cirmena Trao's nephew, loved by Isabella Motta.
Lupi (LEW-pee), a priest.
Master Titta (TEET-tah), a barber who intercepts a note Ninì has written to Signora Aglae and gives it to Fifi, who then breaks her engagement to Ninì.