Giovanna Era

Costantino Ledda

Costantino and Giovanna are former spouses with unresolved romantic tension and emotional conflict.

Aunt Bachissia

Aunt Bachissia is Giovanna's aunt, often acting as a confidante and moral support.

Brontu Dejas

Brontu is a persistent suitor of Giovanna, creating romantic tension and rivalry with Costantino.

Giacobbe Dejas

Giacobbe and Giovanna have a strained acquaintance due to his brother Brontu's obsession with her.

Isidoro Pane

Giovanna and Isidoro are friends, with Isidoro often acting as a supportive confidant.

Aunt Bachissia

Aunt Bachissia is Giovanna's aunt, often acting as a confidante and moral support.

Costantino Ledda

Costantino and Giovanna are former spouses with unresolved romantic tension and emotional conflict.

Costantino Ledda

Costantino and Giovanna are former spouses with unresolved romantic tension and emotional conflict.

Brontu Dejas

Brontu is a persistent suitor of Giovanna, creating romantic tension and rivalry with Costantino.

Brontu Dejas

Brontu is a persistent suitor of Giovanna, creating romantic tension and rivalry with Costantino.

Aunt Bachissia

Aunt Bachissia is Giovanna's aunt, often acting as a confidante and moral support.

Giacobbe Dejas

Giacobbe and Giovanna have a strained acquaintance due to his brother Brontu's obsession with her.

After the Divorce

Recently divorced from Costantino and married to Brontu Dejas, navigating her new role in the Dejas household.

I

Grieving and distraught over Costantino's trial, she oscillates between despair and moments of distraction, highlighting her emotional turmoil.

II

Awakens in anguish on the day of the verdict, brings food to Costantino, breaks down in court upon hearing the sentence, and later speaks with him before he is taken away.

III

Grieves deeply over Costantino's condemnation, feeling numb and despairing; she clings to her baby Malthinu upon returning home.

IV

Mentioned as the object of Brontu's desire; she is distraught over Costantino's sentence and plans to take the baby to Nuoro to see him.

V

Falls into a lethargic stupor after Costantino's condemnation, refusing to eat, pray, or care for her child; obsessively recounts the prison visit.

VI

Writes to Costantino about their son, village news, and her work for the Dejases; her letter brings Costantino intense happiness and vague alarm.

VII

Appears cheerful and rosy despite her poverty and Costantino's imprisonment. She has recent news of Costantino and is the passive object of Brontu's pursuit.

VIII

Writes infrequent, depressing letters about poverty and their son's illness; after the child's death, she has little to say.

IX

Giovanna is preparing her wedding outfit for her marriage to Brontu Dejas, showing both practicality and emotional preoccupation.

Chapter X

Returns from Nuoro with mixed emotions; finds Costantino's letter and is moved by memories; Brontu embraces her as she hides the letter.

XI

Pregnant and miserable, Giovanna works as a servant in Brontu's house, longing for Costantino and resenting her confinement.

XII

Giovanna is overwhelmed by bitterness and despair, feeling like a servant in her own home. She repulses Brontu's drunken advances and unleashes her pent-up rage, threatening to kill herself and revealing a debt.

XIII

Gives birth to a weak baby girl; participates in the baptism ceremony, looking pale but handsome.

XV

Costantino's lost wife; memories of their shared home and bed haunt him during his journey.

XVI

Mentioned as being mistreated in her marriage to Brontu; Costantino sees her at night and hears of her suffering.

XVII

The object of Costantino's conflicted longing and scorn; he recalls a kiss and debates whether to approach her.

Epilogue

Warns Costantino through Aunt Bachissia to be prudent; is watched by Aunt Martina; continues the secret relationship.