ROSSO MALPELO - GIOVANNI VERGA - riassunto, trama, commento, analisi personaggi, verismo, pessimismo

Summary

Giovanni Verga's novella 'Rosso Malpelo' (1880) tells the poignant story of a young boy with red hair, marginalized and mistreated by society. The boy, nicknamed 'Malpelo' for his appearance, lives a harsh life in a Sicilian mine, where he is isolated and exploited. Despite enduring abuse from fellow miners and neglect from his family, he remains resolute. The narrative reflects themes of social injustice, the exploitation of labor, and the absence of protection for workers. Verga's impersonal narrative style highlights the grim realities of life for the downtrodden in 19th-century Sicily.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rosso Malpelo is one of Giovanni Verga's most famous short stories, written in 1880, and part of the collection 'Vita dei Campi'.
• 😀 The protagonist, Rosso Malpelo, is a red-haired boy, and his appearance leads others to view him negatively, associating red hair with malice and evil.
• 😀 Malpelo's real name is never revealed, and even his mother calls him by the nickname, which suggests she may have forgotten his actual name over time.
• 😀 The story portrays Malpelo's harsh life in a Sicilian mine, where he faces constant mistreatment and isolation from his family and peers.
• 😀 His father, Mastro Misciu (meaning 'Master Domenico'), is a hard worker, but the boy is left with little emotional support. The father's tragic death in a mining accident leads Malpelo to further isolation.
• 😀 After his father's death, the mine owner shows minimal compassion, offering Malpelo a job almost out of pity, though Malpelo faces continued bullying and harsh conditions.
• 😀 Malpelo, despite being tormented by the other miners, never reacts violently. He tries to protect a smaller boy, 'Il Ranocchio', but also tortures him in an attempt to teach him how to survive in the brutal world of the mine.
• 😀 The novella highlights the extreme exploitation of miners and the lack of social support, with the miners too weak to protest against the oppressive system.
• 😀 Through Malpelo's story, Verga underscores the theme of abandonment and the cruelty of social and familial neglect, particularly in the context of poverty and hard labor.
• 😀 In the end, Malpelo is left completely alone—his mother remarries, and his sister lives elsewhere. He takes on the dangerous task of exploring new mine tunnels but ultimately disappears, presumed dead, reinforcing the tragic and unrelenting nature of his existence.
• 😀 The story concludes with a haunting image of Malpelo's ghost, symbolizing how his suffering and presence continue to haunt the mining community, marked by his red hair and cold, gray eyes.

Q & A

What is the significance of the nickname 'Rosso Malpelo' for the protagonist?

The nickname 'Rosso Malpelo' refers to the protagonist's red hair, which, according to popular belief, was seen as a sign of malice or evil. The name highlights how he is marginalized and mistreated by society based on his appearance.

Why does the protagonist's mother only refer to him as 'Rosso Malpelo'?

The protagonist's real name is never revealed, and even his mother refers to him by the nickname 'Rosso Malpelo.' This suggests that the mother may have forgotten his true name after years of neglect and emotional distance.

How does Giovanni Verga depict the working conditions in the novella?

Verga portrays the working conditions in the mineshaft as harsh and inhumane. The miners endure dangerous work, poor pay, and a lack of protection. This reflects the exploitation of labor during the late 19th century, particularly in southern Italy.

What role does Mastro Mission play in the story?

Mastro Mission, the protagonist's father, is a hardworking and brutal figure who works in the mine. He brings his son to work with him, believing it is the only way to keep him close. His eventual death in a mining accident leads to further isolation for Rosso Malpelo.

How does the novella portray family relationships?

Family relationships in *Rosso Malpelo* are depicted as cold and indifferent. Rosso Malpelo's mother and sister show little affection for him, focusing instead on his meager earnings. This lack of love further isolates him and highlights the emotional neglect he suffers.

What is the significance of the character 'Il Ranocchio'?

Il Ranocchio, or 'The Frog,' is a new miner who arrives at the mine. He is physically weak due to a past injury, which makes him a target for bullying. Rosso Malpelo forms a complex bond with him, simultaneously protecting and tormenting him, which reflects the harsh realities of survival in such an oppressive environment.

What does Rosso Malpelo’s reaction to his father's death tell us about his character?

After his father’s death, Rosso Malpelo is devastated but also seems to recognize the futility of his own emotional expression. He doesn’t receive any comfort from his family, and his grief is channeled into a quiet, solitary existence. His actions reveal a deep sense of abandonment and internalized bitterness.

What is the significance of the mine collapse and the delayed response to the tragedy?

The mine collapse and the delayed response to it underline the indifference of the upper class to the suffering of the workers. The engineer’s detachment and the three-hour delay in reporting the accident demonstrate the lack of concern for the miners' safety, highlighting the dehumanizing conditions they face.

How does Verga use the character of the donkey (asino) as a metaphor?

The donkey, which dies after being overworked and neglected, symbolizes the exploitation of the workers in the novella. Even in death, the donkey is only useful for providing food for the dogs, illustrating how both the animals and the people are treated as disposable in this harsh world.

What role does the theme of isolation play in *Rosso Malpelo*?

Isolation is a central theme in *Rosso Malpelo*. The protagonist is physically and emotionally isolated from his family, peers, and society at large. His lack of affection from his family and the harsh treatment from the other miners leave him to fend for himself in an unforgiving environment, deepening his alienation.