Nino Ricci's Lives Of The Saints

One must take careful consideration before acting, because the aftermath can lead to a chain of events whose consequences can be disastrous. Nino Ricci’s Lives of the Saints is an excellent example of how the consequences of a person’s actions can affect everyone around them, including themselves. First, Cristina makes several choices throughout the novel that not only reflect her thoughtlessness, but her inability to see that it affects people beyond herself. The repercussions of Cristina’s actions demonstrates that she is not aware that her actions bring with them broken relationships that are beyond repair. Cristina’s value system is distorted as she is not looking at what is best for her child but rather temporary satisfaction for herself.
First, Cristina rips up the money Mario sent from Canada for no reason other than her pride. Alfredo, Mario’s friend, makes a comment to Cristina about her affair and how Mario will react. This comment reminds her of how the villagers believe that she is only with Mario for the money. This causes Cristina to rip up the money, which she could have otherwise used for Vitto. The money is originally for her son to purchase new clothes for the winter months. Now, because of Cristina’s impractical and inconsiderate actions, Vitto will no longer receive that money for new clothes. Vitto’s well-being and needs should have been put first before her pride. Next, Cristina takes her infidelity to a new level as she tries to escape to Canada, with the man she had an affair with. When Cristina is speaking with Luciano in Rocca Secca, she mentions going to America. Cristina says, “Maybe we’ll run off to America together […] Who’s joking? America’s a big place. No one would ever find us there” (Ricci 65). She is now admitting to her infidelity, with the German soldier she is seeing. Cristina tries to escape the results of her mistakes and attempts to erase the memory of her actions. Cristina’s choice to run can be seen as her inability to cope with the effects of her sin and the hope that she can erase any negative actions by ignoring them. She is hopeful to be able to start over where no-one knows her and cannot judge her. In turn, Cristina no longer has to see what others see in her. She leaves her poor father behind who is bedridden because he has a broken leg. One hopes Cristina will redeem herself by caring for her father, who is now in need of help. Instead, Cristina runs off with a man, who is not her husband, without any regard for her father and her son. Once again Cristina is only thinking of herself instead of her family. Lastly, Cristina makes the terrible judgement of trying to show