The Charterhouse of Parma · Chapter
IV explained
Fabrizio, now a soldier, struggles with the harsh realities of war.
What happens
Fabrizio, now a soldier, struggles with the harsh realities of war. He acquires a horse by threatening a soldier, rejoins his regiment, and is advised by the cantinière and Corporal Aubry to desert the army and adopt a civilian identity to avoid trouble.
Themes in this chapter
Fate and Foreboding
Fabrizio feels a sense of inevitable doom, thinking he will be sent to prison for a crime similar to Trooper Boulot's.
Freedom vs. Imprisonment
Fabrizio is advised to desert the army and adopt a false identity to avoid being arrested as a deserter, highlighting the tension between personal freedom and societal constraints.
Characters to notice
- Fabrizio del Dongo
Fabrizio continues his journey as a soldier, showing resourcefulness and naivety. He steals a horse, rejoins the regiment, and is advised to desert.
- Gina del Dongo
Fabrizio thinks of his aunt, 'Poor Gina,' and remembers he has not written to her since leaving Paris.
- Priore Blanès
Fabrizio thinks of his friend the parroco Blanès and wishes he could consult him.
- Boulot
Fabrizio uses Boulot's name and marching orders to identify himself, having taken them from the gaoler's wife.
Key passages
“that the hussar had been taken up not only for the theft of silver plate but also for stealing a cow from a peasant and nearly beating the peasant to death: Fabrizio had no doubt that he himself would be sent to prison some day for a crime which would bear some relation to that of Trooper Boulot.”
Fabrizio believed he would eventually be imprisoned for a crime similar to Trooper Boulot's, who was arrested for theft and assault.
Fabrizio's fear of fate and imprisonment.
“He thought of his friend the parroco Blanès: what would he not have given for an opportunity of consulting him! Then he remembered that he had not written to his aunt since leaving Paris. “Poor Gina!” he said to himself. And tears stood in his eyes”
Fabrizio wished he could consult his friend Blanès and felt guilty for not writing to his aunt Gina, whom he missed dearly.
Fabrizio's longing for guidance and connection.
““It is written that I shall not see her again,” he said to himself with a sigh, “the good, brave woman!””
Fabrizio resignedly thought he would never see the cantinière again, whom he admired.
Fabrizio's sense of loss and resignation.
““What a fool you are, you poor boy!” said the vivandière, smiling through her tears; “but you’re very nice, for all that.””
The cantinière called Fabrizio a fool but also kind, showing her affection despite his naivety.
The cantinière's maternal care for Fabrizio.
““In that case, you have a clear field!” exclaimed the cantinière. “Get right away from this rout of an army; clear out, take the first road with ruts on it that you come to on the right; keep your horse moving and your back to the army.””
The cantinière advised Fabrizio to flee the disorganized army and escape to safety.
Advice to desert and avoid danger.