The Time of Indifference: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Time of Indifference" explores the complex dynamics between its major characters, highlighting themes of love, desire, and existential indifference. At the center is Mariagrazia Ardengo, a middle-aged widow whose obsessive jealousy drives away her lover, Leo Merumeci, a self-serving businessman more interested in her financial resources than in genuine affection. Leo's shifting affections towards Mariagrazia's daughter, Carla, complicate the relationships further. Carla, characterized by her passivity, marries Leo not for love but in search of an escape from her monotonous life, making her a poignant figure of victimhood in the narrative. Mariagrazia's son, Michele, is a law student grappling with his own disillusionment and aiming for liberation, yet he lacks the emotional resolve to take decisive action when faced with the betrayal of his sister. The character of Lisa, Leo’s former lover, introduces an additional layer of complexity, as she also seeks change and passion but finds herself drawn to Michele, who may not fulfill her desires. Through the interactions of these characters, the story delves into the consequences of emotional detachment and the struggle for genuine connection within a context of indifference.
The Time of Indifference: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Alberto Moravia
First published: Gli indifferenti, 1929 (English translation, 1953)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Rome, Italy
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: 1929
Mariagrazia Ardengo (mah-ree-ah-GRAH-see-ah ahr-DEHN-goh), a silly, neurotic, middle-aged widow. Mariagrazia's main motivation is to keep her love affair with Leo from expiring. Her jealous scenes, however, drive Leo away, and he begins to focus his interest on Mariagrazia's daughter, Carla. Ultimately, Mariagrazia is willing to share Leo with Carla as long as he does not abandon her altogether.
Leo Merumeci (LEE-oh mehr-EW-meh-see), Mariagrazia's forty-two-year-old lover. Leo is a rough and unscrupulous businessman who is trying to appropriate Mariagrazia's money. His interest in having Carla, even if it means he has to marry her, does not preclude his keeping Mariagrazia as a lover.
Carla Ardengo, Mariagrazia's twenty-four-year-old daughter. Passive and indifferent, Carla is a true victim of the situation who, at times, longs to escape her dreary existence. She witnesses without any sign of rebellion the various events that are used to manipulate her. Carla marries Leo not out of love but out of a desire for change in her life.
Michele Ardengo, Mariagrazia's son, a first-year law student. He has visions of liberation from his indifferent existence, but they are doomed by that very indifference. When he realizes that Leo has seduced Carla, Michele believes that he must do something but cannot find any real emotion for the task. As a result, Michele decides to shoot Leo, but his attempt fails miserably because he forgets to load the gun. From the failure of his action, however, Michele acquires an understanding of the value of love and honesty and the importance of family and society. This new awareness does not help him break out of his passive life. He agrees to see Lisa and start an affair with her, but he does so with no real enthusiasm.
Lisa, Leo's lover before he met Mariagrazia. After losing Leo first to Mariagrazia and then to Carla, Lisa switches her attentions to Michele, whom she seeks to seduce. Lisa also desires change (as does Carla) and passion (as does Michele) in her life. Michele, with his lack of spontaneous emotion, probably will not provide either.