Nerone

Gian-Luca

Gian-Luca and Nerone are close companions, often seen together in social or work settings.

Fabio

Fabio and Nerone are friends or allies, often interacting in shared social circles.

Rosa

Nerone and Rosa are close friends, with a bond of mutual trust and companionship.

Mario Varese

Mario Varese and Nerone are friends and likely part of the same social group.

Geppe

Geppe and Nerone share a friendly, supportive relationship.

Fabio

Fabio and Nerone are friends or allies, often interacting in shared social circles.

Gian-Luca

Gian-Luca and Nerone are close companions, often seen together in social or work settings.

Gian-Luca

Gian-Luca and Nerone are close companions, often seen together in social or work settings.

Geppe

Geppe and Nerone share a friendly, supportive relationship.

Mario Varese

Mario Varese and Nerone are friends and likely part of the same social group.

Rosa

Nerone and Rosa are close friends, with a bond of mutual trust and companionship.

Fabio

Fabio and Nerone are friends or allies, often interacting in shared social circles.

II

Rosa's father, mentioned as the tobacco seller.

III

Owner of the little shop where a mongrel wanders in and out.

IV

Laughs triumphantly at Fabio's discomfort, then engages in their usual banter.

I

Mentioned in comparison to Teresa's bushy eyebrows; known for having large rages.

V

The butcher who greets Fabio and displays the slaughtered kids outside his shop.

IV

Angry wooden leg; confronts Fabio about neglecting the Church.

V

A tobacco shop owner with a deep but contradictory attachment to Italy and the Church; feels personally outraged by Gian-Luca's schooling and temporarily breaks off friendship with Fabio.

I

A neighbor who criticizes Fabio for 'desertion of his country' and pities Gian-Luca for having no Church.

IV

Comes to fetch Fabio for dominoes, has a wooden leg.

II

Makes a felt top for his skylark's cage and curses the 'accursed country' of London.

III

Interjects with a suggestion to go to Southend, which is dismissed by Mario.

I

Generously donates two bottles of Orvieto for the holiday occasion.

IX

A local bully or antagonist, embodying the cruelty Gian-Luca faces from his peers.

I

Mentioned as the person Fabio intends to consult about Gian-Luca's future.

II

Hosts the meeting in his bird room, argues with Mario about the Capo di Monte, and is skeptical of Fabio's plans.

VI

Mentioned as Rocca, the butcher who loves opera and once knew Garibaldi.

V

Visits often, praises Gian-Luca, complains about Rosa's children Geppe and Berta, and tries to pick quarrels with Fabio.

I

Nerone is among the friends who admire Teresa's business acumen.

II

Nerone is miserly and furious with Geppe's laziness and theft from the shop. He refuses to pay wages and threatens to call the police, blaming Mario for spoiling the boy.

III

Outraged by Berta's behavior, especially missing Mass; responds with silent treatment, which the family appreciates.

I

Cross old Nerone, who perhaps gives more than fondness.

I

Gian-Luca visits his place on pretext of buying cigarettes.

VII

Sulky in his cups, thinking of a clock, and refuses to tell Aunt Ottavia about his wooden leg.

III

Grows homesick for Italy after Geppe's departure, repeatedly postponing selling his business and returning to Siena.

V

Feeling prosperous; hires a young assistant; plays dominoes with Fabio; longs for Italy but stays for the shillings.

I

Moans about ruin but boasts of having sent his money home, showing foresight.

I

A former soldier, he laments being too old to fight and swears with tears in his eyes.

IV

Welcomes Geppe home by closing the shop early and gathering the family, showing a rare concession.

IV

Delivers a grave, patriotic speech invoking the Risorgimento and Garibaldi, challenging Geppe's claim that Italy will remain neutral.

VI

Finds consolation in selling cigarettes to soldiers but is angered by Geppe's laziness and bragging; secretly adores Berta's twins.

I

Becomes possessed with patriotic zeal, giving away cigarettes and declaring himself 'Italy, the eternal.'

II

Looks on with old, patient, loving eyes, proud that his grandson is a soldier.

III

Mario shares his promotion news with Nerone.

III

Speaks freely about Teresa's large debts, calling Fabio a fool.

V

Mourns Fabio deeply, gives the dominoes a symbolic funeral, and plans to return to Italy after the war.

I

Sends Rosa to help in the shop and visits in the evenings to drink Amarena and talk with Maddalena and Teresa.

II

Sighs that Fabio would have been proud of the news.

III

Orders an enlargement of Geppe's photo, drapes it with a flag, and invents heroic tales about Geppe's death.

V

Referenced as Rocca, one of the figures associated with the food-driven existence.

IV

Visits Maddalena and suggests Gian-Luca may be ill and needs a doctor.

I

Defends Gian-Luca against Rocca's accusations; stays in England for the profitable exchange rate, though homesick.

VII

A figure associated with the Capo di Monte, possibly a servant or worker.

I

Recalled in contrast to Sisto; his lies about tobacco are seen as 'pure white' compared to Sisto's, and his grasping nature is paired with hard work.

IX

A character involved in Gian-Luca's early experiences.

I

His faith in Gian-Luca is shaken; exclaims that Gian-Luca must have gone crazy.

II

Listens to Rosa's complaints, spoils the twins, and is puzzled when Gian-Luca kisses him goodbye.

IV

Gian-Luca compares the gipsies' bright eyes to Nerone's skylarks.

XII

A figure from Gian-Luca's past, associated with cruelty and suffering.

III

Referenced as the one who shut away the sky from his skylarks, symbolizing oppression.

I

Listed among those who will go with Maddalena to Lyndhurst.

II

Stumps beside them with his wooden leg, his loins weakened.

III

Mutters about the indignity of the stable, then falls silent and prays the rosary; leaves the stable awkwardly.