# The Evil Eye explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Mary Shelley.

## What happens

Zella, a mother, is consumed by fear and superstition after her son Constans is kidnapped by Dmitri of the Evil Eye, an Arnaoot klepht. Her husband Cyril, along with her father Old Camaraz, embarks on a perilous journey across the Morea and Epirus to rescue the child, uncovering clues that implicate Cyril's own brother Katusthius in the abduction. The chapter explores themes of maternal anxiety, betrayal, and the supernatural influence of the Evil Eye.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Loss

Zella's maternal love drives her to despair as she loses her child to kidnapping, her health and joy fading with each failed hope.

### Solitude and Melancholy

Zella's solitary vigils on the shore, her broken slumbers haunted by apparitions, and the oppressive gloom of waiting for evil tidings.

### Fate and Inevitability

The Evil Eye as a supernatural force of doom, the Morai (Fates) howling in the wind, and the sense that the child's fate is sealed by dark powers.

## Character check-ins

### Zella

A mother tormented by fear for her kidnapped son Constans, her health and beauty fading as she watches the sea and endures superstitious horrors.

### Cyril Ziani

The father of Constans, who tirelessly searches for his son across Epirus and the Morea, discovering his brother Katusthius's betrayal.

### Old Camaraz

Zella's father, a Mainote, who accompanies Cyril on the quest to rescue Constans.

### Dmitri of the Evil Eye

An Arnaoot klepht with sinister powers, who kidnaps Constans twice, using deceit and supernatural menace.

### Katusthius Ziani

Cyril's brother, revealed to have conspired with the Arnaoots and taken Constans to Patras, betraying his family.

### Constans

The young son of Cyril and Zella, kidnapped by Dmitri of the Evil Eye, described as a bold and beautiful child.

## Key lines

> What is there so fearful as the expectation of evil tidings delayed?

The anticipation of bad news is more terrifying than the news itself.

_Reflects Zella's psychological torment as she waits for news of her son._

> Misery is a more welcome visitant when she comes in her darkest guise and wraps us in perpetual black, for then the heart no longer sickens with disappointed hope.

Complete despair is easier to bear than the agony of false hope.

_Highlights the theme of melancholy and the pain of uncertain loss._

> Lovely art thou, bright infant... but thou art a vision fleeting as beautiful;—look at me!

You are a beautiful child, but your beauty is transient; gaze upon me.

_Dmitri's curse-like words to Constans, invoking the Evil Eye._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_38_se/chapters/the-evil-eye
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_38_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_38_se/chapters