Romola · Chapter
XXXV: What Florence Was Thinking Of explained
Tito and Romola's relationship remains strained after his betrayal, with Romola withdrawing into silent grief while Tito focuses on his growing political ambitions in Florence.
What happens
Tito and Romola's relationship remains strained after his betrayal, with Romola withdrawing into silent grief while Tito focuses on his growing political ambitions in Florence. The chapter shifts to the broader political landscape of Florence after the French departure, detailing the city's struggles with debt, war with Pisa, and governmental reform. Savonarola's preaching becomes a powerful force pushing for a more popular government through the establishment of a Great Council, which he frames as the will of God.
Themes in this chapter
Political and Religious Corruption
The chapter highlights the manipulative nature of Florentine politics, where a 'parliament' is used to legitimize the power of the few, and Savonarola's religious authority is becoming intertwined with political advocacy.
Betrayal and Deception
Tito's deception of Romola continues to create a deep rift between them, while he secretly relishes the political intrigue of Florence, viewing it as a game.
Historical Change and Continuity
The chapter depicts a city at a crossroads, debating fundamental changes to its government while still relying on traditional, manipulative political practices.
Characters to notice
- Romola de' Bardi
Romola is deeply hurt and withdrawn after Tito's betrayal, remaining silent and emotionally distant, though she quietly complies with his requests.
- Tito Melema
Tito is relieved that the threat from Baldassarre has diminished and is increasingly drawn to the political games of Florence, viewing life as a game of skill and chance.
- Girolamo Savonarola
Savonarola is emerging as a key political force, using his sermons to advocate for a specific form of government, the Great Council, which he equates with the will of God.
- Pagolantonio Soderini
Messer Pagolantonio Soderini argues in favor of a more popular scheme of government, supporting the idea of a Great Council.
Key passages
“When the stricken person is slow to recover and look as if nothing had happened, the striker easily glides into the position of the aggrieved party; he feels no bruise himself, and is strongly conscious of his own amiable behaviour since he inflicted the blow.”
When the person who has been hurt doesn't quickly get over it, the person who hurt them can start to feel like they are the one who has been wronged, since they don't feel the pain themselves and only remember their own kindness after the fact.
This reflects on Tito's internal justification and his tendency to see himself as the injured party in his conflict with Romola.
“This kind of “parliament” was a very old Florentine fashion, by which the will of the few was made to seem the choice of the many.”
This type of assembly was a traditional Florentine tactic used to make the decisions of a small group appear to have the approval of the entire population.
This explains the manipulative nature of the political process in Florence.
“It was a question of boiled or roast, which had been prejudged by the palates of the disputants, and the excellent arguing might have been protracted a long while without any other result than that of deferring the cooking.”
The debate was like arguing over whether to boil or roast a meal, where each side's preference was already decided by their own tastes, and the fine arguments could go on forever without leading to any actual decision.
This metaphor illustrates the futility of the political debates, as each faction's position was predetermined by their own interests.