IV explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Suffering and Redemption

  Gemma's guilt over Arthur's death and her struggle to move forward; Martini's advice to let the dead bury the dead.

• Identity and Transformation

  The mysterious resemblance between Arthur and Montanelli; Gemma's hallucination of seeing Arthur in the Gadfly.

• Religious Hypocrisy and Faith

  Montanelli's reputation as an honest cardinal contrasts with typical prelates; the Gadfly's mocking remarks about cardinals and ghosts.

Characters to notice

• Gemma Warren

  Haunted by guilt over striking Arthur; startled by the Gadfly's resemblance to Arthur; insists on seeing Montanelli closely.

• Martini

  Comforts Gemma, advises her to focus on the present; accompanies her to see Montanelli.

• The Gadfly

  Appears with a languid, mocking tone; his resemblance to Arthur frightens Gemma.

• Canon Montanelli

  Arrives in Florence as a famous preacher; draws large crowds; Gemma wants to see how he has changed.

• Dr. Riccardo

  Present during the Gadfly's appearance; notices Gemma's distress.

• Grassini

  Tries to invite Montanelli to his house; criticized by Martini for lion-hunting.

Key passages

• “It is a terrible story, but at least the poor lad is out of it now, and luckier than some of those that are left—the ones that are in exile and in prison.”

  Martini tells Gemma that Arthur is at least free from suffering, unlike those still in exile or prison.

  Martini tries to console Gemma by focusing on the living.

• “The past is Death’s, the future is thine own.”

  Martini quotes Shelley to encourage Gemma to focus on the future rather than past mistakes.

  Martini uses poetry to urge Gemma to move forward.

• “Just now, when that odious little fop came up, I fancied it was Arthur.”

  Gemma admits that the Gadfly's appearance made her think she saw Arthur.

  Gemma's hallucination reveals her unresolved trauma.