Silone's novel Bread and Wine

Ignazio Silone's novel Bread and Wine is a story about politics, religion and, simply put, life. Silone gives the reader a view of life in a changing society overwhelmed with political struggle and personal choice. The author personally identifies with this period in Italian history, which makes the novel even more dramatic and meaningful. The tone is light, but the characters express the deep philosophical thoughts of the author.

Silone sets the novel in the mid-1930s, when Mussolini was at his political height. He was about to go to war against Ethiopia, and the Fascist and Communist movements were ripping the country apart. The reader is not introduced to any battle scenes, nor the revolutionary action and the turmoil that comes from it. However, the reader can imagine the struggle, the moral problems, the hostility, and the apathy, as well as the zest for a better Italy and a better life.

Basic plot development begins with the characters of Don Benedetto, Martha, and Nunzio. They are the first to introduce the reader to the central figure of Pietro Spina, who is an intellectual, an idealist, and a Communist. Throughout the novel, he has been forced to flee from Italy and other countries because of his revolutionary ways. However, Spina cannot forget nor leave Italy for good. This is the first time in the novel that wine and, later, bread, are seen as symbols. Spina cannot help but compare himself to wine--a kind of Italian wine that is not good for expor

n Rome. He is later picked up by the police, and after being beaten he agrees to be an informer if he is released. Murica tries to avoid betraying his comrades by passing only insignificant information, but the police make it clear that they expect more. His ultimate decision, to resume his former overt opposition, leads to his death. This is an example of youth's attempt to hold fast to its ideals without compromise. Murica is at first taken by fear and in so doing accepts the political tyranny, but in the end, he rebels and dies as a consequence. This idea of youth and their ideals is eloquently discussed by Spina and Don Luigi. Spina is the epitome of a youth who is faithful to youthful ideals. However, Don Luigi insists that this kind of attitude "would be the end of the world" (156) because it is natural for youth to look for bread and wine somewhere else, besides home. Once again the reference to food and drink is seen. Don Luigi further explains that food is elsewhere but that adults cannot spend their whole lives "at the inns" (157). Don Luigi is saying that adults must forgo youthful dedication, ideals and beliefs since they are only temporary. Also, readers see that these characters view the essential philos

Category: Literature - S