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==Themes== |
==Themes== |
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The novel is the story of Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina<ref>Excerpts from a letter by the author to his friend Baron Enrico Merlo di Tagliavia that describes the relationship between the historical and fictional characters: |
The novel is the story of Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina<ref>Excerpts from a letter by the author to his friend Baron Enrico Merlo di Tagliavia that describes the relationship between the historical and fictional characters: |
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There is no need to tell you that the "Prince of Salina" is the Prince Lampedusa, my great-grandfather Giulio Fabrizio; everything about him is real: his build, his mathematics, the pretense of violence, the skepticism, the wife, the German mother, the refusal to be a senator: Father Pirrone is also authentic, even his name. I think I have given them both a greater degree of intelligence than in fact was the case. |
There is no need to tell you that the "Prince of Salina" is the Prince Lampedusa, my great-grandfather Giulio Fabrizio; everything about him is real: his build, his mathematics, the pretense of violence, the skepticism, the wife, the German mother, the refusal to be a senator: Father Pirrone is also authentic, even his name. I think I have given them both a greater degree of intelligence than in fact was the case. |
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Benedicò is a vitally important character and practically the key to the novel. |
Benedicò is a vitally important character and practically the key to the novel. |
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From the Foreword of the Colquhoun translation, Pantheon paperback edition, p. xii. |
From the Foreword of the Colquhoun translation, Pantheon paperback edition, p. xii. |
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Revision as of 12:18, 1 October 2010
Themes
The novel is the story of Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina[1] , a 19th century Sicilian nobleman caught in the midst of democracy and revolution. As a result, the Prince's position in the island's class system is eroded by newly moneyed peasants and "shabby gentry." As the novel progresses, the Prince is forced to choose between compromising his loyalty to tradition and accepting the decline of his family's influence. Meanwhile, the novel develops themes relating to the moral decadence common among all classes and the futility of greed.
Locations
The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (Map)
The Kingdom of Italy (1861 – 1946) (1860 Map) (1861 Map)
Salina—The fictional Corbèra palatial estate outside Palermo
Donnafuggata—The fictional name for both the town Santa Margherita di Belice (near Palma di Montechiaro) and the palace Palazzo Filangeri-Cutò. Both the palace and adjacent Mother Church were destroyed by an earthquake in 1968.
Historical Characters
Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807−1882) the military leader of the Expedition of the Thousand (May 11, 1860 − October 1,1860) from Marsala in Sicily to northern Lazio (Campania)
Ferdinand II, a Bourbon King of The Two Sicilies. Reigned 22 May 1859 – 20 March 1861. Died shortly before the narration of The Leopard begins. The Bourbons ruled the kingdom from Naples and lived in the Caserta Palace.
Francis II the last Bourbon King of the Two Sicilies. Reigned 22 May 1859 – 20 March 1861.
Victor Emmanuel II the Savoy King of Sardinia 23 March 1849 – 17 March 1861. The King of Italy 17 March 1861 – 9 January 1878.
Fictional Characters
The Corbèra Family
- Fabrizio Corbèra, Prince of Salina
- Maria Stella, Princess of Salina
- Carolina—eldest of 7 children—born 1841
- Concetta—second child
- Francesco Paolo—eldest son and heir—born 1845
- Tancredi Falconeri—orphan son of the prince's sister—born 1835
- Bendicò—the family dog
Others at Salina
- Father Pirrone—Jesuit family priest—helps the prince with mathematical computations
- Pietro Russo—steward
- Ciccio Ferrara—accountant
- Mademoiselle Dombreuil—governess
Characters at Donnafugata--need a reference here
- Colegero Sedàra—Mayor of Donnafugata
- Angelica—Colegero's daughter—born 1844
- Monsignor Trotolino—priest at Holy Mother Church
- Ciccio Genestra—notary
- Onofrio Rutolo—steward
- Toto Giambono—doctor
- Ciccio Tumeo—organist at Holy Mother Church—hunting partner of the prince
- Count Carlo Cavriaghi—friend of Tancredi
External links
- Areas added to the Kingdom of Italy by March 24, 1860
- Areas added to the Kingdom of Italy by March 17, 1861
- Santa Magherita di Belice
Current editions
- An edition of Il gattopardo following the manuscript of 1957 is published by
- Milano : Feltrinelli Editore, Universale Economica ISBN 88-07-81028-X
- Archibald Colquhoun’s English translation, The Leopard, originally published in 1960 by Collins (in the UK) and Pantheon Books (in the US) is available from
- London : The Harvill Press, Panther ISBN 1-86046-145-X
- London : David Campbell, Everyman's Library ISBN 1-85715-023-6
- New York: Pantheon Books ISBN 0-679-73121-0
- New York: Pantheon Books (Paperback) ISBN 978-0-679-73121-4
Notes and references
- ^ Excerpts from a letter by the author to his friend Baron Enrico Merlo di Tagliavia that describes the relationship between the historical and fictional characters:
There is no need to tell you that the "Prince of Salina" is the Prince Lampedusa, my great-grandfather Giulio Fabrizio; everything about him is real: his build, his mathematics, the pretense of violence, the skepticism, the wife, the German mother, the refusal to be a senator: Father Pirrone is also authentic, even his name. I think I have given them both a greater degree of intelligence than in fact was the case.
Tancredi is, physically and in his behavior, Giò; morally a blend of Senator Scalea and his son Pietro. I've no idea who Angelica is, but bear in mind that the name Sedàra is quite similar to "Favara."
Donnafugata as a village is Palma; as a palace, Santa Margherita.
...
Benedicò is a vitally important character and practically the key to the novel.From the Foreword of the Colquhoun translation, Pantheon paperback edition, p. xii.