The Lost Girl · Chapter
XV: The Place Called Califano explained
Alvina struggles with the savage, isolating beauty of Califano, a remote hamlet in the Abruzzi mountains.
What happens
Alvina struggles with the savage, isolating beauty of Califano, a remote hamlet in the Abruzzi mountains. She feels cut off from her former life and is haunted by the ancient, pagan spirit of the land. Her relationship with Ciccio deepens, but she is overwhelmed by the harshness of peasant life. At the Ossona market, she realizes she is pregnant, which brings a mix of terror and wonder. The chapter explores her internal conflict between yielding to this elemental existence and her desire to escape to England or America.
Themes in this chapter
The Ordinary vs. the Extraordinary
Alvina's daily peasant life is juxtaposed with the sublime, terrifying beauty of the mountains and the ancient, pagan atmosphere.
Desire and Sensuality
Ciccio's intense, elemental passion for Alvina and her physical sensation of pregnancy highlight the theme of bodily desire.
Illusion vs. Reality
Alvina's romantic expectations of Italy clash with the harsh reality of poverty, cold, and cultural alienation.
Characters to notice
- Alvina Houghton
Feels lost and annihilated by the savage landscape; struggles with the harsh peasant life; discovers she is pregnant at the market.
- Ciccio
Silent and intense; ploughs with oxen; shows deep, elemental love for Alvina; reacts with triumph to news of pregnancy.
- Pancrazio
Ciccio's brother; manages the household; builds a fireplace for Alvina; accompanies them to market.
- Marasca Giovanni
Lives nearby; helps with the ass and lantern; mentioned as part of the hamlet.
- Maria
Peasant woman who carries stone and lime; brings Alvina soup and coffee; helps with household chores.
Key passages
“There is no mistake about it, Alvina was a lost girl. She was cut off from everything she belonged to.”
Alvina is completely isolated from her former life and identity.
Opening lines establish her sense of dislocation.
“It seems there are places which resist us, which have the power to overthrow our psychic being.”
Some locations can overwhelm and destroy a person's inner self.
Describes the hostile influence of the landscape on Alvina.
“The gods who had demanded human sacrifice were quite right, immutably right. The fierce, savage gods who dipped their lips in blood, these were the true gods.”
Alvina feels the ancient, brutal spirituality of the land is more authentic than modern civilization.
Reflects her psychological transformation and the pagan atmosphere.
“I believe I'm going to have a child.”
Alvina tells Ciccio she thinks she is pregnant.
Key moment of revelation at the market.
“Living was almost too great a demand on her.”
Alvina finds the effort of existence overwhelming.
Captures her exhaustion and despair.