Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Louis de BerniÃ¨res believes in the triumphant goodness of human life and its ability to continue. How is this belief shown in “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”?

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Despite a backdrop of war, many characters in “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” are essentially good. This goodness in many characters overcomes the difficulties within relationships and the difficulties posed by war. De BerniÃ¨res shows the triumphant nature of this goodness through his characters as they interact and develop relationships with one another. The island of Cephallonia has been able to survive through a history full of invasions. Its population has triumphed and shows itself to be basically good. Although at one point they ridicule Father Arsenios when Velisarios humiliates him by lifting him up, there is no malice in their actions. They come to the church to leave “tokens of apology” for Father Arsenios and their goodwill to one another continues throughout the course of the novel.

Despite the prejudice of society not allowing Carlo Guercio to live as freely as a homosexual as he would wish, his goodness triumphs as he is able to care for those he loves. When his love, Francesco, dies, Guercio’s kind and loving nature comes through as he buries him with his mouse and goes to his mother to tell her of her son’s death. He is kind enough to spare her from the truth about the brutality of her son’s death, saying that “he died with a smile on his lips”. Despite losing his loved one, Guercio’s strong character and goodness allow him to go on and love again. This time the embed of his affection is Captain Corelli, for whom he eventually sacrifices his life.

Captain Corelli’s goodness is evident from his first appearance despite the fact that he is a captain of the occupying force. As he marches his troops through the streets of Cephallonia, he breaks the tension by shouting “Bella bambina at nine o’clock. E-y-e-s left” on seeing Pelagia. Corelli is basically good to whoever he comes into contact with. Close to Pelagia’s heart, he is kind towards Psipsina and Lemoni. If Psipsina sat on a piece of the captain’s music, “he would go away and fetch another sheet rather than disturb her.” Not only is this an example of Corelli’s basic kind nature, but also of his ability to become part of the family in Cephallonia and relax into the Greek lifestyle.

Corelli is also able to relate to all ages as he demonstrates through his kindness towards Lemoni. He plays with the child and is untiring in his attentions as she drags him out to see any piece of rusty metal that might be another Turkish mine. Despite being a captain of the enemy he is concerned for all the children of the island.

The captain’s only apparently vicious actions and reprimands occur towards the soldiers. He explains that this is because he is compassionate towards the victims of the soldiers’ torments. Corelli only punishes soldiers in relatively extreme ways because he is so angry that they can ignore the fundamental levels of civility and goodness. He is able to continue to show this kind of reaction as an example as he ascends in Pelagia’s view as Mandras descends into a militant who will harm others for no reason.

Another element of Corelli’s goodness is that allows himself to love although he has fallen in love with a Greek girl. He is unable to be angry with Pelagia, even though in her confused state about what she feels for him, she tries to hurt and aggravate him in every way she can. Although she tries to ruin his gun and hits him and pelts him with olives, Corelli is only amused with “such spirit and fire”.

Like Corelli, Dr Iannis is relatively comfortable with the relationship between his daughter and the captain. He does not reprimand Pelagia for her relationship with Corelli as he admits that their love could be real . However, with some concern for Mandras, he reminds Pelagia that she is betrothed to him. However, he does like the captain, “Italian invader or not, he made life more various, rich and strange.”

The doctor seems omnipresent in the relationship as he is responsible for bluntly pointing out the technicalities of such a relationship that should be considered. Until he is killed in the earthquake that hits Cephallonia, the doctor is always there in Pelagia’s life to guide her and also to treat her as an adult. He knows her too well for her to have any secrets from him.

Pelagia herself is basically good to everyone she meets. She is a personification of De BerniÃ¨res’ idea of triumphant goodness as her friendliness and care transcends all borders including age and nationality. Pelagia lives to the end of the novel, surviving the war and an earthquake . During the wartime, she and her father socialise with Italian and German soldiers. She uses her medical knowledge to help Mandras and the captain. Pelagia seems to have time for anything and has passionate feelings. She cares deeply for Lemoni and her pets too.

The triumphant goodness of human life is evident in many character’s lives as they overcome obstacles through their own determination and goodwill. Characters such as Carlo Guercio live not only for themselves, but to comfort others too as he ensures that he tells Francesco’s mother that her son died peacefully. The generosity of many characters transcends timeframes as well as age barriers meaning that they help people through their lifetime meaning that more people than just themselves are able to achieve their aims in life.

Â© Sarah Marchant

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