The Gadfly · Chapter
I explained
Gemma and the Gadfly argue about the necessity of the Gadfly returning to the Romagna to help Domenichino, who has been arrested.
What happens
Gemma and the Gadfly argue about the necessity of the Gadfly returning to the Romagna to help Domenichino, who has been arrested. Despite Gemma's concerns about the risk, the Gadfly insists on going. Martini offers to go in his place, but the Gadfly refuses, expressing a premonition of failure. They make final preparations for his departure.
Themes in this chapter
Revolution and Political Idealism
The characters are deeply involved in revolutionary activities, smuggling arms and risking their lives for the cause of Italian unification.
Suffering and Redemption
The Gadfly's premonition of death and his willingness to sacrifice himself suggest a theme of suffering and potential redemption.
Characters to notice
- The Gadfly
Argues with Gemma about returning to help Domenichino; expresses a premonition of death; prepares to cross the frontier.
- Gemma Warren
Opposes the Gadfly's plan to return, citing the risk; receives news of Domenichino's arrest; prepares for the Gadfly's departure.
- Martini
Offers to go in the Gadfly's place; discusses the value of their lives; leaves to fetch a cloak and reconnoiter.
- Domenichino
Arrested; his situation prompts the Gadfly's journey.
- Michele
Sends a coded message about Domenichino's arrest.
- Katie
Delivers a packet to Gemma.
Key passages
“Finding all her arguments unavailing against his dogged resolve to go his own way, she fired her last shot. “Let us be honest about it, anyway,” she said; “and call things by their true names. It is not Domenichino’s difficulty that makes you so determined to go. It is your own personal passion for—” “It’s not true!” he interrupted vehemently. “He is nothing to me; I don’t care if I never see him again.””
Gemma accuses the Gadfly of being driven by a personal craving for danger rather than political necessity, which he vehemently denies.
Reveals the Gadfly's inner turmoil and Gemma's insight into his motivations.
““I am between Scylla and Charybdis,” he wrote. “I dare not work quickly, for fear of detection, and I must not work slowly if we are to be ready in time.””
Domenichino writes that he is caught between two dangers: working too fast risks detection, working too slow risks missing the deadline.
Illustrates the practical difficulties of the revolutionary work.
““Do you remember the German legend of the man that died when he met his own double? No? It appeared to him at night in a lonely place, wringing its hands in despair. Well, I met mine the last time I was in the hills; and when I cross the frontier again I shan’t come back.””
The Gadfly tells Martini about a premonition he had, comparing it to a legend where meeting one's double foretells death.
Foreshadows the Gadfly's impending doom and his fatalistic mindset.