Loneliness is a state of mind that leaves people depressed and emotionally weak. The members of the Innocente family suffer from alienation through various social groups. In Nino Ricci’s Lives of the Saints, Cristina and grandfather (Cristina’s father) are alienated from the community (grandfather is isolated from the community), and Vitto is alienated from his family. Alienation makes the lives of these characters lonely and depressing.
Throughout the novel the development of Cristina’s character has been effected because of her alienation from the community, making her feel lonely and helpless. The citizens of Valle de Sole despise and neglect Cristina because of her attitude and uniquely strong …show more content…
When Cristina was in the hospital for the second time Vitto comes home and asks his grandfather “did my mother come back?” (Ricci 116) His grandfather replies “make yourself something to eat; your mother is staying in the hospital a few days” (Ricci 116). Illustrating Vittos’ growing independence and maturity, being only seven years old he is forced to do more around the house and accept the circumstances his mother put herself and the family in. After his mother spoon feeds Vitto and holds his hand throughout his whole life, he is forced to make a drastic turn and essentially become the man of the house. Vitto also becomes more fearful and faces serious problems at school. The other boys at school harass Vitto in regards to his mother and as a result many fights occur ending with Vitto beaten up. “I was grateful nonetheless for the half hour or so from returning home after school” (Ricci 135). Vittos’ fear of these boys makes him stay after school every day in order to avoid them. Demonstrating that even the children of Valle de Sole know what his mother has done, except their victim is