Chapter XII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Hypocrisy and Morality

  The contrast between Fabrizio's innocence and the public's assumption of guilt; the Archbishop's letter reveals that the crime is not murder but the lack of discretion in hiring an assassin.

• Power and Politics

  The Giletti death threatens to topple Conte Mosca's ministry, with the Prince and Marchesa Raversi manipulating events for political gain.

• Fate and Foreboding

  Fabrizio's counting of candles and the number 70 suggests a superstitious or fateful awareness; his religious epiphany hints at a turning point.

• Sacrifice and Redemption

  Fabrizio's kneeling in church, lighting candles, and reciting penitential psalms reflect a desire for spiritual redemption after the violence.

Characters to notice

• Fabrizio del Dongo

  Unaware of the political intrigue in Parma; experiences religious fervor and lights candles in San Petronio; receives letters from the Archbishop and Duchessa; meets Peppe and little Marietta.

• Duchessa Sanseverina

  Writes affectionate letters to Fabrizio, swears to leave Parma unless he returns in triumph, and has taken inventory of her fortune.

• Conte Mosca

  Leader of the Ultra Ministry whose fall is threatened by the Giletti affair; the Duchessa notes he will do everything humanly possible for Fabrizio.

• Monsignor Landriani

  Writes a nineteen-page letter to Fabrizio explaining the political situation in Parma and defending him in society.

• Lodovico

  Accompanies Fabrizio, arranges lodging and food, and believes Fabrizio guilty of murder but remains loyal.

• Little Marietta

  Meets Fabrizio in Bologna, expresses joy at seeing him, and arranges a secret meeting at nightfall.

• Peppe

  The Duchessa's first footman, brings passports to Fabrizio in Bologna and has been searching for him for six days.

• Marchesa Raversi

  Seeks to overthrow Conte Mosca using the Giletti incident as a political weapon.

Key passages

• “one gets things of that sort done for one by somebody else; but to do them oneself is not the custom; besides, one doesn’t kill a comedian like Giletti, one buys him.”

  It is customary to hire someone else to handle such matters; personally killing a lowly actor like Giletti is beneath one's station.

  Reflects the aristocratic attitude toward violence and class hierarchy.

• “This man believes me to be a murderer, and loves me none the less for it”

  Lodovico thinks I am guilty of murder, yet he remains devoted to me.

  Highlights Fabrizio's realization of Lodovico's loyalty despite moral judgment.

• “I cannot conceive how Your Excellency, who has so much intelligence and education, can take the trouble to say all that before me who am his devoted servant; Your Excellency adopts too many precautions; that sort of thing is all right to say in public, or before a court.”

  I don't understand why you, a clever and educated man, keep insisting on your innocence to me, your loyal servant; such claims are only necessary in public or in court.

  Shows the gap between Fabrizio's self-perception and how others view him.

• “It is not at all with the dreadful sin of murder that the public blames you, it is solely with the clumsiness, or rather the insolence of not having condescended to have recourse to a bulo”

  The public does not condemn you for murder, but for the foolishness and arrogance of not hiring a professional assassin.

  Reveals the moral code of the aristocracy where the method matters more than the act.

• “I shall write it in Latin, that will make it appear more seemly to the worthy Archbishop.”

  I will write my letter in Latin to make it more appropriate for the Archbishop.

  Fabrizio's attempt to conform to ecclesiastical expectations.