The Charterhouse of Parma explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Sacrifice and Redemption

  Fabrizio sacrifices worldly life and enters the Charterhouse as an act of penance and spiritual redemption following the tragedy of his son's death.

• Fate and Foreboding

  The chapter fulfills the foreboding sense of inevitable tragedy, as Fabrizio's retreat and death conclude his tumultuous journey.

Characters to notice

• Fabrizio del Dongo

  Retires to the Charterhouse of Parma after the death of his son and Clelia's vow, living in pious solitude until his death from a fever.

• Clelia Conti

  Vows never to see Fabrizio again after the death of their son Sandrino, leading to Fabrizio's retreat.

• Duchessa Sanseverina

  Visits Fabrizio occasionally at the Charterhouse and dies shortly after him.

• Conte Mosca

  Visits Fabrizio at the Charterhouse and later retires to Milan, where he lives comfortably.

• Sandrino

  Fabrizio and Clelia's son, whose death precipitates Clelia's vow and Fabrizio's retreat.

Key passages

• “Fabrizio, therefore, retired to the Charterhouse of Parma, situated in the beautiful woods near the Po, and there he lived for a year, in the most profound solitude, occupied only with his prayers and his grief.”

  Fabrizio withdrew to the Charterhouse of Parma, a monastery in the woods by the Po River, where he spent a year alone, absorbed in prayer and sorrow.

  Describes Fabrizio's retreat and state of mind after the loss of his son.

• “The Duchessa survived him but a short time; she died of grief, and Conte Mosca, who had loved her so tenderly, retired to Milan, where he lived for many years, honored and respected by all.”

  The Duchessa died soon after Fabrizio from sorrow, and Conte Mosca, who deeply loved her, moved to Milan and lived there for many years, esteemed by everyone.

  Summarizes the fates of the Duchessa and Mosca after Fabrizio's death.