The Venetians · Chapter
So Very Wilful explained
Lisa Vivanti, consumed by grief over Vansittart's rejection, refuses to eat or rise from her bed.
What happens
Lisa Vivanti, consumed by grief over Vansittart's rejection, refuses to eat or rise from her bed. Her aunt, la Zia, and the singing-master Zinco attempt to console her, with Zinco warning that her despair will ruin her voice and looks. Eventually, Lisa heeds his advice and resolves to recover. Meanwhile, Mr. Sefton has become a trusted friend to Lisa and her family, taking them on river outings. He is charmed by her naivety and independence, and his desire to win her grows. Lisa remains indifferent to his advances, and when she asks about Vansittart, Sefton reveals that Vansittart is married, describing his wife's beauty. Lisa's passionate outburst confirms Sefton's suspicion that Vansittart is the father of her child.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Lisa's passionate love for Vansittart and her grief at his rejection highlight the theme of unrequited love and the sacrifices it demands.
Class and Poverty
Lisa's background as a lace factory worker and her rise to fame contrast with Sefton's worldliness, emphasizing class differences.
Secrecy and Identity
Sefton's suspicion that Vansittart is the father of Lisa's child and Lisa's concealment of her feelings reflect the theme of hidden truths.
Characters to notice
- Lisa Vivanti
Grieves passionately over Vansittart's rejection, refusing to eat or rise; eventually heeds Zinco's advice to recover her voice and looks.
- la Zia
Tries to console Lisa and explains her niece's despair to Zinco, insisting Vansittart has done no wrong.
- Signor Zinco
The singing-master who argues Lisa out of her grief, warning her that she will lose her voice and beauty.
- Mr. Sefton
A trusted friend to Lisa and her family, taking them on river outings; he is charmed by her and suspects Vansittart is the father of her child.
- Paolo
Lisa's son, who enjoys the river outings and is described as having an instinctive love of water.
- Jack Vansittart
Mentioned as the man Lisa loved and who rejected her; Sefton reveals he is married.
Key passages
“She had built her soul a palace—not of art, but of love—and when the unreal fabric fell her disappointment had been as crushing as it was unforeseen.”
Lisa had invested all her hopes in love, not art, and when that love was rejected, her disillusionment was devastating.
Highlights Lisa's emotional devastation and the centrality of love in her life.
“It was her way of scattering ashes on her head, and rending her garments.”
Her refusal to get up or wash was her dramatic expression of mourning, akin to traditional gestures of grief.
Illustrates the intensity and theatricality of Lisa's grief.
“Chi va all’acqua si bagna, e chi va a cavallo cade.”
One who goes to the water gets wet, and one who rides a horse falls off.
Zinco's proverb reflects his cynical view that Lisa's situation is inevitable.
“He thought of Emma Hamilton, and wondered whether the charm which held Nelson till the hour of death... were some such childlike spontaneous charm as this of Lisa’s.”
Sefton compares Lisa's natural charm to that of Emma Hamilton, which captivated Nelson.
Shows Sefton's fascination with Lisa and his idealization of her simplicity.
“She is not so handsome as you, bellissima.”
Sefton tells Lisa that Vansittart's wife is not as beautiful as she is.
Reveals Sefton's attempt to flatter Lisa while also confirming Vansittart's marriage.
