(Capitolo 17) Promessi Sposi: Riassunto

Key Concepts:

• Renzo's escape to Milan and then Bergamo
• The Adda River as a border and symbol of safety
• Famine and its impact on the population
• Providence as a guiding force
• The cultural difference between Milanese and Bergamaschi

1. Renzo's Journey to the Adda River

• Departure from Gorgonzola: Renzo leaves Gorgonzola around 5:30 PM, torn between the desire to run and hide.
• Fear and Reassurance: He initially fears being recognized but calms down, reasoning that only a few people know his face.
• Objective: Renzo aims to reach the Adda River by following the sound of the water.
• Challenges: The journey is long, tiring, and cold. He encounters farmhouses but hesitates to ask for help, fearing suspicion.
• Entering the Woods: Renzo enters a dense thicket, which intensifies his fear, reminding him of childhood stories.
• Overcoming Fear: He recites prayers to dispel his fear and pushes forward.
• Finding the River: Renzo hears the sound of the Adda River, which he describes as the "discovery of a friend, a brother, a savior!"

2. Crossing the Adda and Entering Bergamo

• Reaching the Riverbank: Renzo observes the opposite bank, identifying Bergamo as a large whitish spot.
• Seeking Passage: He looks for a boat but finds none. He decides against crossing at night due to the river's danger.
• Night in a Shed: Renzo finds an old straw and mud shed to spend the night.
• Prayers and Anguish: He prays, regretting his previous drunken state. He is tormented by thoughts of Lucia, Agnese, Fra Cristoforo, Don Rodrigo, and Don Abbondio.
• Morning Arrival: At 5 AM, Renzo leaves the shed and finds a fisherman to ferry him across the river.
• Crossing the River: Renzo helps row the boat, and during the journey, he confirms that the opposite bank is Venetian territory ("terra di San Marco").
• Payment and Gratitude: He pays the fisherman a "berlina" and expresses joy at reaching safety.
• Fisherman's Motives: The narrator explains that the fisherman ferries fugitives to avoid making enemies, while being careful not to be caught by the authorities.

3. Arrival in Bergamo and Meeting Bortolo

• Direction to Bergamo: Renzo asks for directions to Bergamo and learns it is nine miles away.
• Signs of Famine: He encounters beggars and starving families, worrying about finding work.
• Trust in Providence: Renzo remembers his cousin Bortolo's prosperity and trusts in providence.
• Frugal Meal: He spends his remaining money on a meal at an inn.
• Charity: Renzo gives alms to three beggars outside the inn, reaffirming his faith in providence.
• Optimistic Thoughts: He believes that if providence helped those beggars through him, it will not abandon him. He anticipates finding work, having Lucia and Agnese join him, and marrying Lucia in Bergamo.
• Finding Bortolo's Workplace: Renzo arrives in Bergamo, finds a silk mill, and asks for Bortolo Castagneri.

4. Reunion with Bortolo and News of the Famine

• Warm Greeting: Renzo finds Bortolo, who greets him warmly but then scolds him for arriving during a time of crisis.
• Explanation of Circumstances: Renzo explains his situation, and Bortolo promises to help.
• Praise for Lucia and Condemnation of Don Rodrigo: Bortolo praises Lucia and condemns Don Rodrigo's actions.
• Bortolo's Assistance: Bortolo offers financial help, stating that it is important to help family and friends.
• Famine in Bergamo: Bortolo explains that Bergamo is facing a famine but has purchased grain from Venice.
• Venetian Aid: Lorenzo Torre convinced the Doge to allow the grain to pass, and Batista Aviava persuaded the Venetian Senate to send 4000 "staglia" of millet to Bergamo.

5. Finding Employment and Cultural Differences

• Introduction to the Boss: Bortolo promises to introduce Renzo to his boss, where he is a trusted "factotum."
• Warning about "Baggiani": Bortolo warns Renzo that Milanese people are often called "baggiani" (fools) in Bergamo and advises him not to take it personally.
• Renzo's Resistance: Renzo initially refuses to accept the insult, but Bortolo convinces him that resisting would lead to violence.
• Acceptance and Introduction: Renzo accepts the situation, and Bortolo introduces him to his boss.
• Providence and Accommodation: Renzo receives decent accommodation, which the narrator attributes to providence, as he had no money left.

6. Notable Quotes:

• "Sta in orecchi, né certo! L'Adda! Fu il ritrovamento d'un amico, d'un fratello, d'un salvatore!" - Renzo, upon hearing the Adda River.
• "c'è la provvidenza!" - Renzo, while giving alms to the beggars.
• "non servirebbe a nulla aver ricevuto del bene da Dio se poi non si fa del bene a parenti e amici." - Bortolo, explaining why he will help Renzo.

7. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Birri: Police officers or constables.
• Notaio criminale: A legal official involved in criminal cases.
• Berlina: A type of currency.
• Staglia: A unit of measurement for grain.
• Factotum: A person who does all sorts of work or business for another.
• Baggiani: A derogatory term for Milanese people, meaning "fools."

8. Logical Connections:

• Renzo's fear and anxiety during his escape are directly linked to the injustices he faced in his village.
• His trust in providence is reinforced by the small acts of kindness he encounters, such as finding the shed and the fisherman.
• The famine in Bergamo, while a challenge, is also presented as an opportunity for Renzo to find work and a new life.
• The cultural difference between Milanese and Bergamaschi highlights the challenges Renzo will face in adapting to his new environment.

9. Synthesis/Conclusion:

Chapter 17 of "I Promessi Sposi" details Renzo's arduous journey to safety in Bergamo. Overcoming fear, hunger, and exhaustion, he relies on his faith in providence and the kindness of strangers. The chapter sets the stage for Renzo's new life in Bergamo, where he will face new challenges, including adapting to a different culture and navigating the economic hardships of the famine. The reunion with his cousin Bortolo provides a glimmer of hope and underscores the importance of family and community in times of crisis.