The Charterhouse of Parma · Chapter
Chapter XXI explained
The Duchessa Sanseverina orchestrates Fabrizio's escape from the citadel, enlisting Ferrante Palla and Lodovico.
What happens
The Duchessa Sanseverina orchestrates Fabrizio's escape from the citadel, enlisting Ferrante Palla and Lodovico. She uses a narcotic on General Fabio Conti during a party, and Clelia Conti assists by delivering cords. Fabrizio prepares to descend from his window, while the Duchessa also plots revenge against the Prince, planning to use poison.
Themes in this chapter
Freedom vs. Imprisonment
Fabrizio's escape attempt from the citadel highlights the struggle for physical and political freedom against oppressive imprisonment.
Sacrifice and Redemption
Ferrante Palla offers his life for the Duchessa's cause, and Clelia risks her safety to aid Fabrizio, reflecting themes of sacrifice.
Power and Politics
The Duchessa's plot to poison the Prince and the Raversi faction's influence demonstrate the political maneuvering for power in Parma.
Characters to notice
- Duchessa Sanseverina
Orchestrates Fabrizio's escape, uses Ferrante Palla for support, and plots revenge against the Prince.
- Fabrizio del Dongo
Imprisoned in the citadel, prepares to escape by descending from his window with cords.
- Clelia Conti
Assists the Duchessa by delivering cords and signaling Fabrizio, despite her fear and vow.
- Ferrante Palla
Offers his life to the Duchessa, agrees to poison the Prince, and is disguised as a Capuchin.
- Lodovico
Prepares cords and leads men to assist in Fabrizio's escape, enters the citadel during the confusion.
- General Fabio Conti
Governor of the citadel, is given a narcotic by the Duchessa and believed to have had a stroke.
Key passages
“this idea again. A week later Lodovico too was prepared to climb down this old tower with a knotted cord; it was then that the Duchessa communicated the idea to Fabrizio.”
A week later, Lodovico was ready to descend the old tower using a knotted rope, and the Duchessa shared this plan with Fabrizio.
The Duchessa reveals the escape plan to Fabrizio via Lodovico.
“The Duchessa herself handed to Clelia the parcel of cords in the garden, where the two ladies had gone for a moment’s fresh air.”
The Duchessa gave Clelia the bundle of cords in the garden during a brief break for fresh air.
Clelia receives the escape cords from the Duchessa.
“I cannot look at you again, I have made my vow; but if on Sunday, towards evening, you see me dressed entirely in black, at the usual window, it will be the signal that everything will be ready that night so far as my feeble means allow.”
I have vowed not to see you again, but if on Sunday evening you see me in black at the usual window, it means everything is ready for that night.
Clelia signals Fabrizio with her attire to indicate readiness for escape.
“He offers his life to place an obstacle in the way of Fabrizio’s fate, or to avenge it.”
He offers his life to block Fabrizio's fate or to take revenge for it.
Ferrante Palla offers to sacrifice himself for Fabrizio's cause.
“It is a question of poisoning Fabrizio’s murderer.”
The plan is to poison the person who killed Fabrizio.
The Duchessa reveals her intent to poison the Prince as revenge.
