The Mother: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Mother: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the complexities of familial relationships and personal dilemmas through its central figures. Maria Maddalena, a Sicilian orphan, endures a challenging life marked by loss and sacrifice, as she strives to support her son Paul, who is training to become a priest. Her deep-rooted superstitions and maternal devotion come into conflict when she perceives her son’s growing affections for a young woman, which ultimately leads to her tragic demise. Paul, torn between his religious duties and burgeoning sensual desires, faces a moral crisis as he grapples with love and temptation, contemplating abandoning his priestly vows. Agnes, Paul’s love interest, embodies innocence and desire but remains unaware of the weight of her aspirations on Paul's future. Supporting characters like Antiochus, who aspires to priesthood, and King Nicodemus, a reclusive misanthrope, add layers to the narrative, highlighting different responses to societal and personal struggles. This analysis invites readers to reflect on the intricate interplay of duty, love, and the human condition within the story’s poignant context.
The Mother: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Grazia Deledda
First published: La madre, 1920 (English translation, 1922)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Sardinia
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: Early twentieth century
Maria Maddalena (mahd-dah-LEE-nah), a Sicilian woman. An orphan reared by aunts who make of her a drudge, she is married to an old man who dies shortly thereafter, leaving her pregnant. She works to support her son and to send him through a seminary to become a priest. She is troubled when her priest-son appears to have an affair with a beautiful young woman. A superstitious soul, she believes the ghost of the former parish priest is trying to drive her and her son away. When her son's sweetheart confronts him in his church, the poor mother falls dead.
Paul, Maria Maddalena's son, a priest. He has a sensual nature; while in seminary he is fascinated by a prostitute, whom he visits often one summer. At his first parish, he falls in love with a beautiful young parishioner and has a strong sensual urge that causes him to consider leaving the Church in order to run away and marry his sweetheart. When he puts down the temptation, the spurned woman threatens to denounce him publicly as a seducer.
Agnes, Paul's sweetheart. She is the last member of the family that owns the big house in the village that is Paul's parish. She loves Paul and does not seem to realize what she asks him to do in urging him to leave the Church and his responsibilities to it. She sees him only as a man.
Antiochus (ahn-tee-OH-kews), Paul's server, who wishes to become a priest.
King Nicodemus (nee-koh-DEH-mews), a misanthropic hunter who lives in a cabin on the mountain near the village. He has left the village so that his hate will not cause him to kill anyone.