# Aunt Martina Dejas — After the Divorce character guide

> Aunt Martina Dejas in After the Divorce by Grazia Deledda.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Aunt Martina, Martina Dejas, old Martina

**First appearance:** 0002-part-i-i

## Snapshot

Bedridden and watchful, old Martina Dejas keeps her wedding coif on and her ears open, certain that sin is being committed under her roof.

## Who they are

Matriarch of the Dejas household, she lies propped among pillows in her chamber, directing the family's affairs and even hosting a baptismal feast from her bed. Suspicious and sharp-eyed, she fixes on Giovanna with a moral vigilance that makes the young wife's every movement feel watched. Her half-mad certainty that something illicit is happening turns private grief into a household siege, driving the secrecy on which the early story turns.

## In the story

### [After the Divorce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/after-the-divorce)

Member of the Dejas family, likely observing or influencing the household dynamics.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-iii)

Owner of the white house overlooking the Era cottage; she is a miserly woman whom Aunt Bachissia distrusts, though she has shown some concern.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

Spins on the portico, sees Brontu drunk, and later discusses the Eras' situation with him; reveals Giovanna's plan to visit Costantino in prison.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-i-vii)

Miserly and self-interested, she supports Brontu's marriage to Giovanna because it would be cheap and secret, comparing Giovanna to a slave entering the house.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-x)

Eagerly awaits her gift from Nuoro; scandalized when Brontu follows Giovanna.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xi)

Brontu's mother, who controls the household, hoards money, and treats Giovanna like a servant.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xii)

Aunt Martina remains unmoved during the confrontation, accusing Giovanna of madness and defending her own authority. She is the target of Giovanna's accusations of tyranny.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii)

Slackens her purse strings for the baptism, but is tormented by fear of theft; prepares the linen cloth for the table.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv)

Referred to as Aunt Anna-Rosa; she is devastated by her brother's confession, ages visibly, and struggles with conflicting feelings of love and horror.

### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/chapters/part-ii-epilogue)

Spies on Giovanna and Costantino; confronts Uncle Isidoro, expressing her fear and rage; pleads for help to stop the affair, fearing ruin for Brontu.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters/aunt_martina_dejas
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/after_the_divorce_se/characters