Lives of the Saints by Nino Ricci
The relation between the Title “Lives of the Saints” and the events in the story
The Novel “Lives of the Saints” by Nino Ricci explores the twists and distress that exists in a small town “Vale Del Sole,” within which the plot is set. The story examines the lives of the small-town people, which reveals historical complexities eminent within a patriarchal society domineered by men, infidelity, Jealousy, Envy, prejudice against women, and the evil eye. This story thus exposes the high contrast expected in a community of saints. While saints should be displaying an exceptional level of holiness, faith, and closeness to a high power which causes them to enjoy a comfortable and moral life, this is not the case with the “saints” in Ricci’s story.
First, the people of Vale Del Sole practice adultery. This infidelity, according to strict Catholicism rules, is a sin. The Catholic faith prohibits extramarital affairs. Cristina, however, commits adultery with a stranger in her stable while her husband was away trying to fend for the family. She appears to have been practicing infidelity with the “blue-eyed” man. “There were letters that came to her every few months” (Ricci, 2). This is until her son, Vittorio, caught her in the act, and the stranger fled. Because of this event, she suffered a snake bite and a disdained name. The people of the village upheld insistent beliefs, and such practice is unforgivable.
Second, the villagers believe in superstition. This tradition makes them ruthless against Cristina and her son Vittorio. They accused her of infidelity and warned her of the dire consequences. Trouble would befall her if she failed to honor society’s rules by offering an atonement sacrifice or public confession (Michela, 33). Cristina’s egotistic attitude, however, makes her defy all the society’s recommendation. This rebellion forms the basis of prejudice against her and her son Vittorio.
Third, the unfolding events in the story depict a lack of regret, which causes strife and family destruction. “…he remained walled up in his stony silence, his head bowed over his plate, while my mother sat turned away from him crosswise, her legs never under the table, as if she expected at any moment to have to rise suddenly on some errand,” (Ricci 133). This passage reflects a deeply concealed malice and hates that exist between Cristina and Vittorio’s grandfather as they are gathered at the dinner table. Vittorio ‘s grandfather stops eating with him and his mother. Vittoria could see the tense atmosphere that engulfed the room. Cristina is, however, unremorseful, and her subjective attitude blurs her from seeing the need to repent and apologize for her moral misconduct. Eventually, even though she is pregnant, she decides to leave the town to a new place with her son. Unfortunately, she dies on the voyage.
Third, the protagonist’s family reflects deprived parenthood. Vittorio’s absent father and unsupportive mother set him on a dilemma as he lacks someone to guide him on beliefs and customs around his surroundings. His unsupportive grandfather, too, does not stand as a role model worth of his emulation. Vittorio, therefore, grows up isolated from society, its belief, and its positive impact. This absent and dysfunctional family set up negatively influences his personality and deprives him of the chance to grow in a morally serene environment.
In the novel, “The lives of the saints,” it is eminent from the events that there exist ethical ironies. These ambiguities dominate the lives of the characters in the play. Vale Del Sole is marred with superstition, infidelity, misogyny, envy, selfishness, and condemnation. While one would expect a lovely society full of compassion and care, the case is different in this small town. Sainthood in Vale Del Sole seems to dispel hell rather than paradise. This is not what the emigrants hoped for when they sojourned to this new land.
Work Cited
Ricci, Nino. Lives of the Saints. McClelland & Stewart, 2015.
Baldo, Michela. “MALOCCHIO IN NINO RICCI’S LIVES OF THE SAINTS.” Quaderni d’italianistica 33.1 (2012).
In-class Reflection
Lives of the Saints
Throughout the story, the actions of the villagers display an inherent belief in superstition and its destructive power. They believe Cristina’s infidelity is the cause of the snake bite, and she should atone for her sins by giving a sacrifice, publicly confessing, or praying to God for forgiveness. According to their tradition, these practices would wade off the misfortunes and other consequences brought by “Malucchio” the “evil eye.” For fear of troubles besetting them, the villagers alienate Cristina and her son, Vittorio.
The events in the novel, “Lives of the Saints” displays an irony. The lives of the saints are filled with superstition, infidelity, feminism, misogyny, and moral decadence. This unethical ambiguity negatively impacts the life of the protagonist, Vittorio.