The Venetian Glass Nephew: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Venetian Glass Nephew" explores the relationships and complexities surrounding a unique cast of characters in a fantastical narrative. Central to the story is Cardinal Peter Innocent Bon, who, despite his desire for a nephew, finds himself surrounded by family members committed to religious life. In a whimsical turn, he commissions a glassblower to create a living glass nephew, Virginio, who embodies beauty yet faces the challenges of his unusual existence. Virginio's love interest, Rosalba Berni, is a gifted poet and scholar, known for her vibrant personality, which contrasts with her struggles in marrying a glass man.
Rosalba's journey is marked by deep emotional turmoil, leading to a drastic transformation as she seeks to reconcile her love for Virginio with her own humanity. The narrative also introduces M. de Chastelneuf, a mysterious figure with supernatural abilities and a complicated past with Rosalba's mother, Caterina. Supporting characters like Alvise Luna, the glass-blower rumored to possess sorcery, and the learned Angelo Querini, who mentors both Virginio and Rosalba, further enrich the tale. The interplay of love, identity, and transformation within this eclectic ensemble invites readers to reflect on the nature of human connection and the lengths one might go to for love.
The Venetian Glass Nephew: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Elinor Wylie
First published: 1925
Genre: Novel
Locale: Venice, Italy
Plot: Fantasy
Time: 1782
Peter Innocent Bon, a cardinal of the Roman Catholic church who yearns to have a nephew, though all of his sisters are in holy orders and his brothers have fathered only daughters. In his naïveté, he asks a glassblower friend to make him a glass nephew and bring the creation to life.
Virginio (veer-JEE-nee-oh), the cardinal's nephew, formed of Venetian glass and given life. He is a handsome young man with a translucent complexion and golden hair. He is baptized Virginio by the cardinal and sent to receive an education at the hands of Angelo Querini, a scholar and philosopher. He falls in love with Rosalba Berni and marries her, though the marriage to a glass man is difficult for a flesh-and-blood young woman.
Rosalba Berni (roh-ZAHL-bah BEHR-nee), known as Sappho the Younger because she is a splendid poet and a woman of learning. She is the ward of Angelo Querini, at whose home she meets Virginio and falls in love, despite her engrossment in the classics and philosophy. Upon knowing love, she becomes an active girl, even a hoyden, and her marriage to a glass husband has complications. After she attempts suicide in her unhappiness, her friends permit her to be transformed into Sèvres porcelain so that she can be a more suitable wife for her beloved. Rosalba, it is discovered, is the illegitimate child of Cardinal de Bernis.
M. de Chastelneuf, Chevalier de Langeist, a strange man from Bohemia who has supernatural powers. His interest in Rosalba stems from having loved her mother before the woman became Cardinal de Bernis' mistress.
Caterina (kah-teh-REE-nah), Rosalba's mother, the mistress of Cardinal de Bernis.
Alvise Luna (ahl-VEE-seh LEW-nah), a famous glass-blower of Murano who works with M. de Chastelneuf. He is accused of being a sorcerer.
Count Carlo Gozzi (KAHR-loh GOH-zee), a longtime friend of Cardinal Innocent Bon. He is a writer of fairy tales.
Angelo Querini (kweh-REE-nee), a scholar and philosopher, formerly the friend of Voltaire. As a man of great learning, he is the guardian of Rosalba and the tutor of Virginio.