# XI: Tito's Dilemma explained — Romola

> Chapter companion for Romola by George Eliot.

## What happens

Tito Melema is confronted by Fra Luca, who recognizes him and implies knowledge of his past. Tito fears that his secret about Baldassarre will be exposed, but he decides to conceal the truth and continue his life in Florence. He rationalizes his abandonment of Baldassarre, convincing himself that he is not obligated to search for him. He visits Bardo and Romola, maintaining a cheerful demeanor, and later goes to San Marco to question Fra Luca, only to learn that the friar has been taken to Fiesole due to illness, providing Tito with a temporary sense of relief.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal and Deception

Tito's decision to conceal his past and rationalize his abandonment of Baldassarre is a clear act of betrayal and deception.

### Redemption and Moral Choice

Tito faces a moral choice between acknowledging his duty to Baldassarre and pursuing his own pleasure, and he chooses the latter, rejecting redemption.

## Character check-ins

### Tito Melema

Tito is in a state of inner turmoil after Fra Luca's recognition, but he resolves to conceal his past and rationalizes his abandonment of Baldassarre.

### Romola de' Bardi

Romola is present with her father when Tito visits, unaware of Tito's internal conflict.

### Bardo de' Bardi

Bardo is in his study with Romola, receiving Tito's visit.

### Baldassarre Calvo

Baldassarre is the absent benefactor whose fate Tito is trying to ignore.

## Key lines

> Tito's talent for concealment was being fast developed into something less neutral.

Tito's ability to hide his true feelings was quickly turning into a more serious habit of deceit.

_This highlights Tito's growing skill in deception._

> It was at least provisionally wise to act as if nothing had happened, and for the present he would suspend decisive thought; there was all the night for meditation, and no one would know the precise moment at which he had received the letter.

Tito decided it was best to pretend nothing was wrong and postpone any decision, planning to think it over at night, since no one knew exactly when he got the letter.

_Tito's strategic thinking to avoid immediate confrontation._

> Having once begun to explain away Baldassarre's claim, Tito's thought showed itself as active as a virulent acid, eating its rapid way through all the tissues of sentiment.

Once Tito started justifying his neglect of Baldassarre, his reasoning quickly corroded all his feelings of loyalty and gratitude.

_The corrosive nature of Tito's rationalization._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se/chapters/xi-tito-s-dilemma
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se/chapters