# After the Divorce — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for After the Divorce by Grazia Deledda.

- [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/epigraph.md): The epigraph quotes St. Luke 18:33-34, foreshadowing suffering and a lack of understanding among those who witness it.
- [After the Divorce](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/after-the-divorce.md): Giovanna Era has obtained a divorce from Costantino Ledda and married Brontu Dejas. The chapter explores her new life in the Dejas household, her complex feelings about the marriage, and the social dynamics within the co
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-i.md): Giovanna Era, distraught over her husband Costantino Ledda's impending trial, seeks refuge with the Porru family. The chapter introduces the Porru household, including the student Paolo Porru, and explores themes of grie
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-ii.md): The chapter opens on the morning of Costantino's sentencing. Giovanna awakens with dread, and she and Aunt Bachissia bring him food at the prison. In the courtroom, the defense lawyer speaks, but Costantino interrupts to
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-iii.md): Giovanna Era returns to her village after Costantino Ledda's condemnation, struggling with grief and despair while her mother, Aunt Bachissia, tries to force her to accept the verdict. The journey home is depicted in a d
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-iv.md): Brontu Dejas, drunk, confesses to Giacobbe his love for Giovanna Era and his intention to marry her after she obtains a divorce from the imprisoned Costantino. Giacobbe mocks him but later helps him home. Isidoro Pane ov
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-v.md): Two weeks after Costantino's condemnation, the community gathers for Mass while Giovanna remains in a state of deep lethargy and despair, haunted by her final prison visit. Aunt Bachissia delivers Costantino's message to
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-vi.md): Costantino endures a harrowing sea voyage to prison, suffering from seasickness and despair. Upon arrival, he is placed in solitary confinement for six months. He copes by composing lauds to San Costantino, dreaming of h
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-vii.md): Summer returns to Orlei. Giacobbe Dejas renews his contract with Aunt Martina, who is miserly and self-interested. He then visits Giovanna Era, who appears cheerful despite her misfortunes, and learns she has recent news
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-viii.md): Costantino languishes in prison, consumed by love for Giovanna and tormented by poverty and isolation. He receives a brief, depressing letter from her about their son's illness and their dire poverty. The King of Spades 
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-ix.md): Giovanna Era prepares for her civil marriage to Brontu Dejas after obtaining a divorce. She and her mother visit the Porru house in Nuoro to purchase wedding supplies, funded by a loan from Aunt Anna-Rosa Dejas. The chap
- [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-x.md): Giovanna and Aunt Bachissia return from Nuoro, bringing gifts and news. Brontu's passionate attention unsettles Giovanna, who discovers a letter from Costantino pleading with her not to remarry. Meanwhile, Giacobbe Dejas
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xi.md): On the vigil of the Assumption, a pregnant Giovanna works as a servant in Brontu's household, enduring Aunt Martina's strict control and her own deep unhappiness. She longs for her former life with Costantino, feels trap
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xii.md): Tensions erupt in the Dejas household as Brontu and Giacobbe return drunk from the holiday, leading to a violent confrontation with Giovanna and Aunt Martina. Giovanna, feeling trapped and degraded, lashes out at her hus
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii.md): Giovanna gives birth to a weak baby girl, who is baptized with great pomp. Shortly after, Giacobbe Dejas is bitten by a tarantula, and a superstitious exorcism ritual is performed by local women, which is interrupted by 
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv.md): Giacobbe Dejas lies gravely ill, tormented by fever and guilt over his murder of Costantino Ledda. He insists on confessing to Priest Elias, the magistrate, and Brontu Dejas. Aunt Anna-Rosa and Isidoro Pane grapple with 
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xv.md): Costantino, newly released from prison, journeys back to Orlei but is overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness and alienation. He reunites with his old friend Isidoro Pane, but their meeting is strained; Costantino's demea
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xvi.md): After Costantino's return to Orlei, he is overwhelmed by visitors who offer sympathy and hospitality, but he remains bitter and restless. He learns of Giovanna's unhappy marriage to Brontu and prowls near her house at ni
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii.md): Costantino, now sixty-four days after his return, is consumed by misery and rage, feeling isolated and worn down. He waits for Mattea, a half-witted girl who brings him gossip from the Dejas house, at Isidoro's hut. Afte
- [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-epilogue.md): Costantino continues to visit Aunt Bachissia's cottage, where he relives his past happiness with Giovanna. Aunt Martina, suspicious of their renewed relationship, confronts Uncle Isidoro and pleads with him to intervene,
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/endnotes.md): This chapter provides explanatory notes on various Sardinian terms, customs, and cultural practices referenced throughout the book, including local expressions, agricultural traditions, and superstitious rituals.

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