The Charterhouse of Parma

Between Gina del Dongo and Fabrizio del Dongo, who is the novel’s hero? Recall that the Forward claims the novel will be about Gina and consider how it departs from or fulfills this promise. Make your case with textual evidence to argue what constitutes heroism as the novel seems to define it, and to what extent major events and major themes depend on the character you select as the hero.

Chapter 20 provides a famous line of nineteenth-century literature: “Politics in a literary work are a pistol-shot in the middle of a concert.” Apply this quote to the novel itself to consider the harmony or lack thereof between politics and literature. Use textual evidence to argue either that the two are easily combined, radically opposed, or distinct sections in the novel. Make sure to contextualize the quote from Chapter 20 as you consider its applicability.

The Charterhouse of Parma has been called several novels in one. Distinguish and describe at least three distinct types of styles or sections in the book. You might suggest that the three or more distinctions come together by means of a common element; if so, explain what that element is, using textual evidence.