# A Man's Ransom explained — Romola

> Chapter companion for Romola by George Eliot.

## What happens

Tito Melema, after encountering Tessa in the crowd, reflects on his growing affection for Romola and his ambitions in Florence. He receives a sum of money from Domenico Cennini, which triggers a deep internal conflict about whether to use it to search for his adoptive father, Baldassarre, who may be enslaved. Tito rationalizes his decision to stay in Florence, prioritizing his own desires over his duty to his father.

## Themes in this chapter

### Duty vs. Personal Desire

Tito's internal conflict between his obligation to ransom his father and his desire for a new life in Florence.

### Betrayal and Deception

Tito's self-deception and concealment of his father's fate, revealing his growing moral corruption.

## Character check-ins

### Tito Melema

Struggles with the moral dilemma of using his money to ransom his father or pursuing his own ambitions in Florence.

### Romola de' Bardi

Tito's romantic interest, whose noble simplicity inspires awe and admiration in him.

### Tessa

Briefly appears in Tito's thoughts as he recalls her blue eyes and innocent demeanor.

### Baldassarre Calvo

Tito's adoptive father, whose possible enslavement weighs heavily on Tito's conscience.

### Domenico Cennini

Provides Tito with the money that triggers his moral crisis.

## Key lines

> the little rills of selfishness had united and made a channel, so that they could never again meet with the same resistance.

Tito's selfish impulses had now consolidated into a firm resolve, making it harder for him to resist them in the future.

_Illustrates Tito's moral decline as he rationalizes his choice._

> A man’s ransom!—who was it that had said five hundred florins was more than a man’s ransom?

Tito recalls that the sum of money he holds is enough to free a man from slavery, highlighting the weight of his decision.

_Central to the chapter's theme of duty versus self-interest._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se/chapters/ix-a-man-s-ransom
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se/chapters