The Gadfly · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Gadfly by Ethel Voynich.

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Chapter 1
Epigraph
The epigraph presents a single line of scripture, 'What have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth?', setting a tone of confrontation and questioning of faith.
Chapter 2
Author's Preface
The author expresses gratitude to the officials of the Marucelliana Library of Florence and the State Archives and Civic Museum of Bologna for their assistance in collecting materials for the story in Italy.
Chapter 3
Part I
The chapter introduces the young Arthur Burton, a sensitive and devout student at a seminary in Pisa, who is deeply influenced by his mentor, Canon Montanelli. Arthur's involvement with the secret revolutionary society Young Italy begins to take shape, setting the stage for his eventual transformation into the Gadfly.
Chapter 4
I
In the library of the theological seminary at Pisa, Canon Montanelli helps Arthur Burton with manuscript sermons. They discuss Arthur's recent involvement with student meetings about Italy's liberation, and Arthur reveals a mystical experience after his mother's death, feeling called by God to dedicate his life to freeing Italy from Austrian rule. Montanelli, deeply attached to Arthur, warns him of the personal cost but cannot dissuade him.
Chapter 5
II
Arthur and Montanelli embark on a holiday through Switzerland, but the trip is shadowed by Montanelli's anxiety about Arthur's political involvement. Their journey reveals Arthur's mystical connection to nature and growing distance from Montanelli, culminating in a tense conversation at Lugano where Montanelli resolves to confront Arthur about his dangerous path.

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Epigraph

Author's Preface

Part I

I

II