Characters Discussed
Padron ’Ntoni Malavoglia
Padron ’Ntoni Malavoglia (N-toh-nee mah-lah-VOHL-yee-ah), head of the once-prosperous family that lives by the medlar tree.
Bastianazzo
Bastianazzo (bah-stee-ahn-NAHZ-zoh), his son. His ambition to take black beans to Riposto to sell at a huge profit ruins the family when his boat, the Provvidenza, is wrecked.
La Longa
La Longa, Bastianazzo’s wife, who distrusts Uncle Crucifix, the moneylender, but signs over to his assignee her rights to the house when he repeatedly demands payment for his loan on the lost beans. She dies of cholera.
’Ntoni
’Ntoni, their oldest son, who returns from military service and becomes a smuggler. Caught, he is sentenced to the galleys for five years.
Luca
Luca (LEW-kah), their second son, who is conscripted and killed in battle.
Alessio
Alessio (ah-LEHS-see-oh), their youngest son, who earns the money to regain his house by the medlar tree.
Mena
Mena (MEH-nah), their oldest daughter.
Lia
Lia (LEE-ah), their youngest daughter, loved by Don Michele.
Uncle Crucifix Dumbbell
Uncle Crucifix Dumbbell, a local usurer who takes over the house after his loan to buy beans is not repaid.
Goosefoot
Goosefoot, his assistant. Uncle Crucifix pretends to assign his loan to Goosefoot, hoping collection will thus be easier.
Don Michele
Don Michele, commander of the coast guard, who is stabbed by Ntoni.
Alfio Mosca
Alfio Mosca (ahl-FEE-oh MOHS-kah), a carter who loves Mena.