Adultery in the book Lives of the Saints brings up a controversial belief in the novel. Nino Ricci explores the theme of adultery in three different ways. Adultery is shown in Cristina’s character, the captain and the effects it has on children.
However it can be debated that Cristina acts irresponsibly and immature while committing a big sin of adultery, she believes that she’s doing the right thing. To begin with, Nino Ricci explores adultery through Cristina’s character is by showing the readers how lonely she is. To illustrate, “but though the church filled to capacity before the service started, a few people standing back in the porch, a long stretch of pew remained empty beside my mother” (Ricci 39). Although, Cristina is one of the …show more content…
This is firstly shown during an argument between Vittorio and Fabrizio. To illustrate, “It’s not your fault, it’s your mother. Because she was screwing in the stable” (Ricci 106). Fabrizio makes fun of Vittorio and insults him because of his mother’s sin. Fabrizio’s constant grinning and advices annoyed Vittorio and this then lead to an argument between them. This shows that the children don’t yet see how the “theme” of adultery is very significant and life changing because of their innocence. Secondly, the baby is seen as a result of adultery and shows a deeper and darker meaning into the book. It shows a connection between two instances, for example, “you killed your mother when you were born and now you’ve killed me, as surely as if you’d pulled a knife across my throat” (Ricci 149) and “’E’ morta tua mamma,’ he whispered finally, as if telling me a secret” (Ricci 241). This can be interpreted as history repeating itself; Cristina dies while giving birth to a baby girl who is the result of her sin. This process can be seen as Cristina reincarnating herself in the baby’s girl’s body and thus, been given a second chance to prove herself worthy of life and to also prove herself to God himself as has given her an opportunity to correct her mistakes and to never make them again. At last, the author also constructs an effect on Vittorio. For instance, “’what did you see when you came down here?’ [Cristina] said finally … ‘I didn’t see anything,’ I said finally” (Ricci 7). Vittorio loses his innocence by lying to everyone about his mum’s affairs; he also becomes superstitious and tries to help his mum. Vittorio knows about his mother’s sin and does not tell anyone; neither does he confess it to the priest in church. This makes him a sinner too and thus also an accomplice in his mother’s sins. Due to this, everyone in the novel marginalizes
However it can be debated that Cristina acts irresponsibly and immature while committing a big sin of adultery, she believes that she’s doing the right thing. To begin with, Nino Ricci explores adultery through Cristina’s character is by showing the readers how lonely she is. To illustrate, “but though the church filled to capacity before the service started, a few people standing back in the porch, a long stretch of pew remained empty beside my mother” (Ricci 39). Although, Cristina is one of the …show more content…
This is firstly shown during an argument between Vittorio and Fabrizio. To illustrate, “It’s not your fault, it’s your mother. Because she was screwing in the stable” (Ricci 106). Fabrizio makes fun of Vittorio and insults him because of his mother’s sin. Fabrizio’s constant grinning and advices annoyed Vittorio and this then lead to an argument between them. This shows that the children don’t yet see how the “theme” of adultery is very significant and life changing because of their innocence. Secondly, the baby is seen as a result of adultery and shows a deeper and darker meaning into the book. It shows a connection between two instances, for example, “you killed your mother when you were born and now you’ve killed me, as surely as if you’d pulled a knife across my throat” (Ricci 149) and “’E’ morta tua mamma,’ he whispered finally, as if telling me a secret” (Ricci 241). This can be interpreted as history repeating itself; Cristina dies while giving birth to a baby girl who is the result of her sin. This process can be seen as Cristina reincarnating herself in the baby’s girl’s body and thus, been given a second chance to prove herself worthy of life and to also prove herself to God himself as has given her an opportunity to correct her mistakes and to never make them again. At last, the author also constructs an effect on Vittorio. For instance, “’what did you see when you came down here?’ [Cristina] said finally … ‘I didn’t see anything,’ I said finally” (Ricci 7). Vittorio loses his innocence by lying to everyone about his mum’s affairs; he also becomes superstitious and tries to help his mum. Vittorio knows about his mother’s sin and does not tell anyone; neither does he confess it to the priest in church. This makes him a sinner too and thus also an accomplice in his mother’s sins. Due to this, everyone in the novel marginalizes