VENDETTA
SETTING
Small, mean house,
Ramparts of Bonifacio
Deadly straits - houses looked like nests for birds of pray.
Trails of white foam streaming from waves like torn shreds of linen
Widow Saverini’s house planted on edge of cliff
CHARACTERS
Widow Saverini
Antoine, her son
Sémillante, great gaunt brute of a sheep dog, long rough coat.Hunts with young man.
CRISIS/CONFLICT
One evening, Antoine Saverini was treacherously stabbed in a quarrel by Nicholas Ravolati, who escaped that same night to Sardinia.
DEVELOPMENT (Interaction between characters, how to solve problem or conflict)
Reaction of Widow Saverini to son’s death: did not cry, lay hand on body and promised vendetta (kill the person who killed him)
Shut herself in house with dead body.
Reaction of Sémillante to Antoine’s death: remained with woman at foot of bed. Howled.
Antoine was buried the next day and his name was never mentioned again.
Who is going to revenge her son’s death? No brother, no male near relation.
RISING ACTION
Writer creates and expectation with the mother brooding about the revenge. Looked at village where the murderer was hiding, it fed her revenge.
No sleep, knew no moment of rest and peace.
Sémillante would sleep at her feet, and now and then raise her head and howl.
Mother had idea, went to church to ask for strength.
Training Sémillante to attack on command.
CLIMAX
Disguised as beggar. Go over to Longosardo with dog and black pudding. Asked for Nicholas Ravolati. Let dog kill him. Vendetta accomplished.
CONCLUSION
She left. Slept peacefully. No regrets. Performed her duty.
QUESTIONS
- Why is it important to mention that MrsSaverini is a widow?
- Why does the writer mention in one sentence that Antoine was murdered?
- How does the dog Sémillante share in the widow’s mourning of Antoine?
- What is the custom surrounding vendetta in Italy?
- Why is it difficult for this old woman to keep to the vendetta she swore over her son’s body?
- Why is it not strange that the old woman go and pray for strength to take revenge?
- How is Sémillante used to help the woman take revenge?
- Why can the woman never forget that she has to take revenge?
What is your opinion about this story?