After the Divorce · Chapter
IV explained
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.
What happens
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 overhears Brontu's declaration and warns him to be quiet. At home, Aunt Martina learns of Brontu's plan and tries to calm him. The next evening, Brontu returns from work, grumbles about the house, and questions his mother about the Eras. He takes savage pleasure in their misfortune, while Aunt Martina reveals that Giovanna plans to visit Costantino in prison with the baby.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Betrayal
Brontu's drunken confession reveals his obsessive love for Giovanna and his hope that Costantino would be convicted, betraying the bonds of community and friendship.
Social Class and Community
The Dejas family's wealth contrasts with the Eras' poverty; Brontu's mother scoffs at the Eras' future, suggesting they will have to 'catch snails' to survive.
Suffering and Resilience
Giovanna's grief and determination to visit Costantino in prison with the baby, despite the heat and hardship, highlight her resilience in the face of tragedy.
Characters to notice
- Brontu Dejas
Drunk, confesses his love for Giovanna and his plan to marry her after her divorce; later returns from work and takes savage pleasure in the Eras' misfortune.
- Giacobbe Dejas
Mocks Brontu's plan but is secretly astonished; feels a chill when Isidoro Pane commands him to keep Brontu quiet.
- Isidoro Pane
Encountered on the road; overhears Brontu's declaration and firmly orders Giacobbe to keep Brontu quiet.
- Aunt Martina Dejas
Spins on the portico, sees Brontu drunk, and later discusses the Eras' situation with him; reveals Giovanna's plan to visit Costantino in prison.
- Giovanna Era
Mentioned as the object of Brontu's desire; she is distraught over Costantino's sentence and plans to take the baby to Nuoro to see him.
- Costantino Ledda
Mentioned as having been sentenced to twenty-seven years; Giovanna plans to visit him in prison with the baby.
Key passages
“I intend to marry Giovanna... She will get a divorce, that's all. Well, what of that? There's a law that gives a woman the right to marry again if her husband has been sent to prison for a long sentence.”
Brontu declares his plan to marry Giovanna after she obtains a divorce, citing a law that allows remarriage when a husband receives a long prison term.
Brontu reveals his intention to Giacobbe, showing his determination and the legal loophole he hopes to exploit.
“Make—him—keep—quiet!”
Isidoro Pane firmly orders Giacobbe to silence Brontu.
Isidoro's authoritative command causes Giacobbe to feel a sudden chill, indicating the old man's hidden influence.
“Giovanna wants to take the baby to Nuoro for Costantino to see before they carry him off. I told her she was crazy to think of such a thing in this heat; but Priest Elias told her to go, and he nearly cried!”
Aunt Martina reports that Giovanna plans to travel with the baby to Nuoro to visit Costantino in prison, despite the heat, and that Priest Elias supported her decision.
This reveals Giovanna's devotion and the priest's compassion, contrasting with Brontu's callousness.