The Gadfly (E. Voinich) was a very famous work in the USSR. Khrushchev even wrote a special award to the author for the repeated reprint of the book. What attracts readers? For those who have not read The Gadfly, a brief summary in parts will help to get an idea of the work.
History of the novel in Russia and the USSR
The first Gadfly (E. Voinich) was released in the United States in 1897. A translation in Russia was published a little later - in 1898 as an annex to the journal, and 2 years later as a separate book. The work was distributed by well-known revolutionary figures, many people in the USSR said that the novel “Gadfly” was their favorite work. Three adaptations of the novel were shot in the Union, a ballet and a rock musical based on the work were staged.
"Gadfly". Summary of the novel
The main character of the book is Arthur Burton, he is a student and a member of the secret organization Young Italy. The confessor reveals his secret, and the young man is arrested, and with him his comrade. The Burton organization is considered a traitor. It seems to Arthur that everyone turned away from him, to top it all, he quarrels with his beloved girl, and from the scandal with his relatives he finds out that his father is the rector of the Montanelli seminary. The young man pretends to commit suicide and leaves for Buenos Aires.
After 13 years, Arthur returns to Italy and calls himself Rivares. He writes satirical pamphlets under the pseudonym "Gadfly". As a result of an armed clash, Burton goes to jail, after the trial he is sentenced to death. Montanelli offers help in escaping, but Arthur does not agree and sets a condition: the cardinal must abandon the rank and religion. As a result, the Gadfly is shot and the priest dies after the sermon.
"Gadfly". Content. Part one
Arthur Burton is 19 years old, a year ago his mother died, and now he lives in Pisa with his brothers. The young man spends a lot of time with the mentor - the rector of the seminary and his confessor Lorenzo Montanelli. At one of the confessions, the young man believes his secret: he became a member of the revolutionary group Young Italy. Arthur wants to fight for the freedom of his native country. The mentor, anticipating trouble, resists this venture, but he does not manage to dissuade Burton. In addition, Gemma Warren is a member of the organization, with whom the young man is in love.
After a while, Montanelli left for Rome, because he was offered a bishopric there. Instead of Lorenzo, a new rector is appointed. In a confession, Arthur talks about being jealous of Gemma to Boll, a member of the same party. Soon the young man was taken to the police, but during interrogations he did not confess to anything and did not name the names of his comrades. Despite this, Bolla is also being arrested; in “Young Italy” they think that it was Arthur who betrayed him.
Burton realizes that the priest has broken the secret of confession. Subsequently, he quarrels with Gemma, it is impossible to explain. At home during the scandal, his brother’s wife tells Arthur that his real father is Montanelli. Then the young man decides to stage suicide, he writes a suicide note and throws his hat into the river. He himself goes to Buenos Aires.
Part two
The action of the novel “Gadfly,” a brief summary of which is being considered, continues through 13 years.
Felice Rivares, author of political satirical pamphlets, writing under the pseudonym "Gadfly", comes to Florence. At a party meeting, he comes with a gypsy dancer Zita. She is his lover.
In Florence, Gadfly meets Gemma Warren, now the widow of Ball. That one seems that Rivares is Arthur Burton. At the same time, Montanelli was in Florence, who became a cardinal.
Rivares falls ill, party members take care of him. He does not allow Zita to himself. During one of Gemma’s duties, she manages to talk to Gadfly, who talks about the many difficulties of her life. She also shares her sorrows and says that her beloved died because of her. To test his hunch, Gemma shows Rivares a medallion with a photograph of Arthur. But Gadfly does not show that he is Burton. Rivares speaks very contemptuously of the boy depicted in the photo.
After recovery, Gadfly returns to revolutionary activity. Once he meets Montanelli, during the conversation he wanted to open up to him, but he did not dare.
Zita, offended, leaves with the camp and is going to marry a gypsy.
Part three
The Gadfly, a summary of which is given here, ends tragically.
It turns out the arms supplier is detained, Gadfly goes to his aid. In one of the shootings, he is arrested and imprisoned. A priest comes to the prisoner - Montanelli. However, Gadfly offends him.
Friends help organize the escape, but it fails. The gadgets are again chained. He asks to be visited by Montanelli. The priest comes and Rivares confesses that Arthur is he. The cardinal realizes that his son is alive and offers help. But Gadfly agrees only on condition that Montanelli renounces the dignity and religion in general, which he cannot do.
The cardinal agrees to a military court, Arthur is shot.
At the sermon, the cardinal imagines that there is blood everywhere.
Gemma receives a posthumous letter from Rivares, where he reports that he is Arthur. The woman laments that she again lost her beloved.
Montanelli dies of a heart attack.