Romola · Chapter
LV: Waiting explained
As summer progresses, Romola remains in a state of anxious waiting.
What happens
As summer progresses, Romola remains in a state of anxious waiting. The Plague spreads through Florence and Savonarola is excommunicated, events that draw Romola back to the Frate's side, as she sees him as a martyr fighting against a corrupt Church. Her personal turmoil continues as she awaits Baldassarre's return, haunted by his revelations about Tito's past and the existence of another wife. Tito's frequent absences in the countryside prevent any confrontation, leaving Romola isolated with her suspicions and fears.
Themes in this chapter
Political and Religious Corruption
The chapter highlights the corruption of the Church under Pope Alexander VI, contrasting it with Savonarola's moral stand, and shows how this conflict shapes public and private loyalties.
Redemption and Moral Choice
Romola's renewed commitment to Savonarola is framed as a moral choice, finding strength in his resistance against a corrupt authority, which offers her a path away from her personal despair.
Betrayal and Deception
Romola's internal turmoil is driven by Tito's hidden past and his deception, which she has learned of from Baldassarre, creating a deep sense of personal betrayal.
Characters to notice
- Romola de' Bardi
Finds renewed purpose and sympathy for Savonarola during the Plague and his excommunication, while remaining in a state of anxious waiting for Baldassarre and haunted by Tito's betrayal.
- Tito Melema
Spends most of his time in the country, avoiding the city and his wife, which prevents any confrontation about Baldassarre's accusations.
- Baldassarre Calvo
Does not appear in the chapter, but his absence is a central source of Romola's anxiety and speculation; she fears he may be dead or have forgotten her.
- Girolamo Savonarola
His excommunication is a pivotal event in the chapter, which re-energizes Romola's devotion to him as a standard-bearer against a corrupt ecclesiastical power.
Key passages
“The lengthening sunny days went on without bringing either what Romola most desired or what she most dreaded.”
The long, sunny days passed without any sign of Baldassarre or news of the suspected conspiracy, leaving Romola in a state of unresolved anxiety.
Sets the tone of waiting and uncertainty for the chapter.
“But they brought other things which touched her closely, and bridged the phantom-crowded space of anxiety with active sympathy in immediate trial.”
Instead, these days brought the Plague and Savonarola's excommunication, which gave Romola a new focus for her sympathy and action, distracting her from her personal fears.
Introduces the chapter's major public events that affect Romola's emotional state.
“The Frate was now withdrawn from that smaller antagonism against Florentine enemies into which he continually fell in the unchecked excitement of the pulpit, and presented himself simply as appealing to the Christian world against a vicious exercise of ecclesiastical power.”
Savonarola's excommunication elevated his struggle beyond local Florentine politics, making him a symbol of resistance against a corrupt Church, which simplified and ennobled his position for Romola.
Explains why Romola's devotion to Savonarola is renewed.