# Contessa Pietranera — The Charterhouse of Parma character guide

> Contessa Pietranera in The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendhal.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Contessa, Contessa Pietranera, Signora Pietranera, the charming Contessa Pietranera

**First appearance:** 0001-the-charterhouse-of-parma

## Snapshot

A young widow of striking beauty and unshakable nerve, who defies generals and assassins alike to protect the man she loves.

## Who they are

The Contessa Pietranera moves through Milanese society with a grace that conceals an iron will, as when she procures post-horses to ride to Vienna and shame the men who imprisoned her husband. Her marriage to the brave but improvident Conte Pietranera is a partnership of equals in courage, and her refusal to bend to Austrian authority marks her as dangerous in the eyes of the powerful. This earlier incarnation of Gina del Dongo shows the reader the making of the Duchessa Sanseverina: a woman who has already learned that charm and audacity are her best weapons.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/i)

The Contessa is madly fond of Fabrizio, has a supreme contempt for her brother the Marchese, and secures Fabrizio a post as officer of hussars; she writes to reclaim her nephew.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/ii)

Widowed, she rejects Limercati's advances, lives in poverty, and eventually accepts the Marchese's offer to return to Grianta.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/vi)

The Contessa is courted by Conte Mosca at La Scala; she finds his lack of self-importance charming and begins to consider him as a suitor. She also reflects on her feelings for Fabrizio, seeing him as a handsome stranger and feeling a maternal affection.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/contessa_pietranera
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters