Standahl's hellish world without ideas or morals - The Charterhouse of Parma

Stendahl's style aside, the other amazing thing about The Chaterhouse of Parma is the complete amorality of all of the characters (w/ possible exception, at least at the start, of the "hero," Fabrizio del Dongo). Perhaps what we're seeing is Stendahl's satiric take on the aristocratic mores or lack thereof in Italy, or perhaps it's his overall world view - in any event, it's notable that all of the characters have no fidelity to their spouses (a relic of the days of arranged marriages among the nobility?), and those in power have not a single thought about anyone but themselves - this includes those in government office - all of the posts are pure sinecures, and the characters thing only about the self-aggrandizement and enrichment at the public expense. The higher up in the rankings, the worse - the Prince of Parma is completely self-centered and does absolutely nothing for his subjects other than imprison them in his remote tower if he has the slightest suspicion - which he often does - that anyone is opposing his autocratic rule (remind you of anyone today?). As the Fabrizio, he at least has some spirit and some aspirations - he wants to serve in war and wants to be part of Napoleon's army - but it seems he's chosen the wrong side, as the name Napoleon was anathema to any of Italian nobility. So his aunt - who's clearly in love w/ him, though she has become the mistress of Count Mosco, who is already married, but whose wife is carrying on her own affair - and so forth - arranges to set him up in a career in the church. Not that Fabrizio has any interest in the church or in religion, nor that he's a suitable candidate for theology school - he is practically illiterate! - and as I recollect throughout the course of the novel he does absolutely nothing of a religious or spiritual nature - the church is just another scam to get a younger son a decent living. Despite all the glamor and color and all the titled nobility and their salons and gatherings, this is a hellish world w/out values or ideas - an a frightening reminder for our own times, in fact. 



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