Manzoni admits that all these fine precepts and exhortations to goodness would sound hollow, except for the fact of being spoken by someone who actually walked the talk.
I love the paragraph beginning: "Don Abbondio was quiet". The rest of it is a believable description of D. Annondio's change of heart. The penny finally drops. He sees the truth of what the Cardinal is saying. He stops blaming others and takes responsibility for himself. The metaphor of the damp broken wick of a candle finally catching fire is fitting.
The Cardinal at times reminds me of Padre Cristoforo in his exhortations to goodness and trust in God, even though the words of the latter are less intellectual but equally effective. Reading the chapter, I am reminded of another comparison. Lucia and the Nun of Monzo share similar fates in a way. Both are the victims of things outside their control. My sympathy for Gertrude increased while reading this chapter. By the way, the actress Evi Maltagliati does full justice to the complex and conflicted character of Gertrude in her portrayal of the nun in Mario Camerini's 1941 film adaptation of the novel.
When Agnese tells Lucia she is only too happy to send money to Rezo she says, "I was happy as could be on my way here". I love the way Manzoni describes the woman's basic human joy in one simple line.
The last few pages of the chapter are a great description of how people are easily caught up in circumstances beyond their understanding or control. The poor are busy just trying to survive, while the rulers and the rich have much more important things on their minds. Renzo is linked to Don Gonzalo by a flimsy yet complex set of circumstances., by a "very thin and invisible thread, to too many and too important things".
There’s a bounty of generous and agile thinking in this chapter. Don Abbondio is bombarded with faith as he’s dressed down by the Cardinal who keeps him and me off balance with teachings, and how he listens to DA when DA finally speaks. I found myself finding solace in the same words heard by DA. And then this glimmer of hope as Agnese finally hears about the vow made by Lucia: “She wanted to say, “What have you done?” but it would have been like raging at heaven, especially when Lucia started to describe that night in the most vivid colors: the deep despair and the unexpected liberation in which the vow had been made so explicitly, so solemnly.” The language a constant surprise - raging at heaven, vivid colors, deep despair, unexpected liberation. At this point, I’m feeling hopeful that L and R will be together again.
The better the Cardinal is, the more I fear a fall is coming, or at least a lapse. I also fear that the trail of this gold will lead to more sorrow. And I'm surprised to hear of the so far easy re-settlement of Renzo. It's interesting that for me his fate and Lucia's--maybe in their innocence--seem so overshadowed by the other more powerful characters. I imagine Lucia sticking to her vow no matter what, even though Renzo still has a place in her heart. It's hard to anticipate what will undo this for her--maybe something as simple as seeing him again?--or maybe I just have more confidence in this vow of conscience than in the survival of young love.
The Cardinal seems to convey the idea that God’s workings are freely given. But I am perplexed by Lucia’s perception that the Holy Mother worked a miracle in her deliverance from her kidnapped state and that this miracle was in response to Lucia’s prayers-and there is something so transactional in Lucia’s quid pro quo reasoning that she must ‘pay’ for this miracle. This suggests that God’s works are not freely given. Perhaps I misunderstand. Or perhaps the Holy Mother has a different modus operandi from God?
Interesting, what you say, about the transactional character of her vow. The Cardinal has read more than Lucia has and has had more time to ponder on these things. I think I remember that earlier we read that Lucia was brought up on tales of saints and of terrible things that happened to those who didn't keep their vows to god or the virgin.
Will the Nameless One, who has offered his protection and services to Lucia, be able to assist Renzo, who is getting a really bad rap and has had to go into hiding?
Ugh. Lucia's vow. How will Manzoni cut th is Gorditan Knot? The complex interactions of coincidence and the butterfly effect are so hard for the human psyche to dismiss as randomness, as science now tells us we must. But back then, nobody thought that way.
I saw something like a premonition, or foreshadowing, or fortunetelling in the Cardinal's final admonition to Don A -- after saying it's too late for him to help Lucia or Renzo he qualifies this by adding that this is how it looks from their limited perspective at the present time -- but that perhaps God or fate or fortune will change the situation in such a way that Don A will have the opportunity to assist them -- and if that moment comes he must take it and do the right thing. And Don A. promises that he will. Suddenly this seems like preparation for an outcome that looks distant for now.
My favorite line in this chapter, though it's not tied to what's front and center in it: "The pittance that our poor boy [Renzo] was able to scrape together through a lot of hard work and a lot of scrimping, well, in came justice and swept it all away." Agnese's earthy irony in the use of the word "justice" here.
And I have to say, the comment casts a backward light on the Cardinal's insistence to Don Abbondio that he should have trusted his superiors and turned to them for help against Don Rodrigo. My thought: Yeah, not so sure that would have worked out any better than Renzo going to see Professor Argle-Bargle did.
Describing God as ‘the Lord’ in the context of the Nameless One’s gift to Lucia and Agnese had the effect of almost eliding God with the Nameless One. Eg ‘the Lord has sent us some good fortune’. Who is the Lord?
I really enjoyed how Don Abbondio recognizes at least twice that Perpetua was right! "Perpetua's very words," he says. And "the very things Perpetua said." (p. 427) An interesting commentary by Manzoni on the power of the believer, or perhaps simply the power of logic and common sense (science), over the machinations of the clergy or perhaps fear?
DA goes on to mention that fear on pg 430 -- "... although he did not feel the full remorse that the sermon had sought to instill in him (since that same fear was always there to defend him) ..."
"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.” As a long time choir singer this gospel hymn immediately popped into my head when the Cardinal quoted this line of scripture from Luke 12:35. And it is the perfect anthem for Lucia Renzo. https://youtu.be/JTFyrJfWGws
Manzoni admits that all these fine precepts and exhortations to goodness would sound hollow, except for the fact of being spoken by someone who actually walked the talk.
I love the paragraph beginning: "Don Abbondio was quiet". The rest of it is a believable description of D. Annondio's change of heart. The penny finally drops. He sees the truth of what the Cardinal is saying. He stops blaming others and takes responsibility for himself. The metaphor of the damp broken wick of a candle finally catching fire is fitting.
The Cardinal at times reminds me of Padre Cristoforo in his exhortations to goodness and trust in God, even though the words of the latter are less intellectual but equally effective. Reading the chapter, I am reminded of another comparison. Lucia and the Nun of Monzo share similar fates in a way. Both are the victims of things outside their control. My sympathy for Gertrude increased while reading this chapter. By the way, the actress Evi Maltagliati does full justice to the complex and conflicted character of Gertrude in her portrayal of the nun in Mario Camerini's 1941 film adaptation of the novel.
When Agnese tells Lucia she is only too happy to send money to Rezo she says, "I was happy as could be on my way here". I love the way Manzoni describes the woman's basic human joy in one simple line.
The last few pages of the chapter are a great description of how people are easily caught up in circumstances beyond their understanding or control. The poor are busy just trying to survive, while the rulers and the rich have much more important things on their minds. Renzo is linked to Don Gonzalo by a flimsy yet complex set of circumstances., by a "very thin and invisible thread, to too many and too important things".
There’s a bounty of generous and agile thinking in this chapter. Don Abbondio is bombarded with faith as he’s dressed down by the Cardinal who keeps him and me off balance with teachings, and how he listens to DA when DA finally speaks. I found myself finding solace in the same words heard by DA. And then this glimmer of hope as Agnese finally hears about the vow made by Lucia: “She wanted to say, “What have you done?” but it would have been like raging at heaven, especially when Lucia started to describe that night in the most vivid colors: the deep despair and the unexpected liberation in which the vow had been made so explicitly, so solemnly.” The language a constant surprise - raging at heaven, vivid colors, deep despair, unexpected liberation. At this point, I’m feeling hopeful that L and R will be together again.
The better the Cardinal is, the more I fear a fall is coming, or at least a lapse. I also fear that the trail of this gold will lead to more sorrow. And I'm surprised to hear of the so far easy re-settlement of Renzo. It's interesting that for me his fate and Lucia's--maybe in their innocence--seem so overshadowed by the other more powerful characters. I imagine Lucia sticking to her vow no matter what, even though Renzo still has a place in her heart. It's hard to anticipate what will undo this for her--maybe something as simple as seeing him again?--or maybe I just have more confidence in this vow of conscience than in the survival of young love.
The Cardinal seems to convey the idea that God’s workings are freely given. But I am perplexed by Lucia’s perception that the Holy Mother worked a miracle in her deliverance from her kidnapped state and that this miracle was in response to Lucia’s prayers-and there is something so transactional in Lucia’s quid pro quo reasoning that she must ‘pay’ for this miracle. This suggests that God’s works are not freely given. Perhaps I misunderstand. Or perhaps the Holy Mother has a different modus operandi from God?
Of all the Latin used over time referring to the Holy Mother, I expect this is a first for "Modus Operandi". Made me laugh anyway!
Interesting, what you say, about the transactional character of her vow. The Cardinal has read more than Lucia has and has had more time to ponder on these things. I think I remember that earlier we read that Lucia was brought up on tales of saints and of terrible things that happened to those who didn't keep their vows to god or the virgin.
Will the Nameless One, who has offered his protection and services to Lucia, be able to assist Renzo, who is getting a really bad rap and has had to go into hiding?
The wisdom of Perpetua validated;
Abbondio understands (a little) that it takes more to be a priest than just wearing a robe;
and Agnese matures considerably.
Powerful chapter.
Ugh. Lucia's vow. How will Manzoni cut th is Gorditan Knot? The complex interactions of coincidence and the butterfly effect are so hard for the human psyche to dismiss as randomness, as science now tells us we must. But back then, nobody thought that way.
I saw something like a premonition, or foreshadowing, or fortunetelling in the Cardinal's final admonition to Don A -- after saying it's too late for him to help Lucia or Renzo he qualifies this by adding that this is how it looks from their limited perspective at the present time -- but that perhaps God or fate or fortune will change the situation in such a way that Don A will have the opportunity to assist them -- and if that moment comes he must take it and do the right thing. And Don A. promises that he will. Suddenly this seems like preparation for an outcome that looks distant for now.
My favorite line in this chapter, though it's not tied to what's front and center in it: "The pittance that our poor boy [Renzo] was able to scrape together through a lot of hard work and a lot of scrimping, well, in came justice and swept it all away." Agnese's earthy irony in the use of the word "justice" here.
And I have to say, the comment casts a backward light on the Cardinal's insistence to Don Abbondio that he should have trusted his superiors and turned to them for help against Don Rodrigo. My thought: Yeah, not so sure that would have worked out any better than Renzo going to see Professor Argle-Bargle did.
Describing God as ‘the Lord’ in the context of the Nameless One’s gift to Lucia and Agnese had the effect of almost eliding God with the Nameless One. Eg ‘the Lord has sent us some good fortune’. Who is the Lord?
Interesting that the same title is used for both: il Signore. Also in English: praise the Lord!
I really enjoyed how Don Abbondio recognizes at least twice that Perpetua was right! "Perpetua's very words," he says. And "the very things Perpetua said." (p. 427) An interesting commentary by Manzoni on the power of the believer, or perhaps simply the power of logic and common sense (science), over the machinations of the clergy or perhaps fear?
DA goes on to mention that fear on pg 430 -- "... although he did not feel the full remorse that the sermon had sought to instill in him (since that same fear was always there to defend him) ..."
"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.” As a long time choir singer this gospel hymn immediately popped into my head when the Cardinal quoted this line of scripture from Luke 12:35. And it is the perfect anthem for Lucia Renzo. https://youtu.be/JTFyrJfWGws