"Gadfly": a short summary of the novel

The "Gadfly" (Voynich EL) was a very famous work in the USSR. Khrushchev even wrote out a special award to the author for repeatedly reprinting the book. What attracts readers? For those who have not read the "Gadfly", the summary in parts will help to get an idea of the work.

The history of the novel in Russia and the USSR

For the first time the Gadfly (Voynich EL) was published in the USA in 1897. The translation in Russia was published a little later - in 1898 as an appendix to the journal, and 2 years later as a separate book. The work was distributed by famous revolutionary figures, many people in the USSR said that the novel "Gadfly" is their favorite work. In the Union, three screen versions of the novel were shot, ballet and a rock musical based on the work were staged.

"Gadfly". Summary of the novel

The protagonist of the book is Arthur Burton, he is a student and member of the secret organization "Young Italy". His secret is revealed by the confessor, and the young man is arrested, and along with him, by his comrade. In the organization of Burton considered a traitor. Arthur seems that all turned away from him, to top it off, he quarrels with his beloved girlfriend, and from a scandal with relatives learns that his father is the rector of the Seminary Montanelli. The young man staged a 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 the armed clash, Burton is sent to prison, after his trial, he is sentenced to death. Montanelli offers assistance in escaping, but Arthur disagrees and puts the condition: the cardinal must give up his dignity 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. On one of the confessions, the young man confides his secret: he became a member of the revolutionary group "Young Italy". Arthur wants to fight for the freedom of his native country. A mentor, anticipating trouble, resists this venture, but he does not manage to dissuade Burton. In addition, Jemma Warren, in whom the young man is in love, is in the organization.

After a while, Montanelli went to Rome, because he was offered a bishopric there. Instead of Lorenzo appoint a new rector. At the confession, Arthur tells that he is jealous of Gemma to Bolle, a fellow party member. Soon the young man is taken to the police, but during interrogations he does not confess anything and does not name the names of his comrades. Despite this, they also arrest Boll, in the "Young Italy" they think that this Arthur gave him away.

Burton guesses that the priest broke the secret of confession. Subsequently, he quarrels with Gemma, can not 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 novel "Gadfly", whose summary is considered, continues 13 years later.

In Florence comes Felice Rivares, the author of political satirical pamphlets, writing under the pseudonym "Gadfly". At the party meeting, he comes with a gypsy dancer Zita. She is his mistress.

In Florence Gadfly meets Jemma Warren, now the widow of Ball. It seems that Rivares is Arthur Burton. At the same time in Florence is Montanelli, who became a cardinal.

Rivares is ill, party members are taking care of him. Zita, he does not admit to himself. During one of Gemma's duties, she manages to talk about the Gadfly, who talks about many of the difficulties of his life. She also shares her sorrows and says that because of her, a loved one died. To test his guess, Gemma shows Rivares a medallion with a photograph of Arthur. But the Gadfly does not show that he is Burton. Rivares is very scornful about the boy pictured in the photo.

After recovery, the Gadfly returns to revolutionary activity. Once he meets with Montanelli, when he wanted to talk to him, he did not dare.

Zita, offended, leaves with the camp and is going to marry the gypsy.

Part Three

"Gadfly", a summary of which is given here, ends tragically.

It turns out that the supplier of weapons has been detained, Gadfly goes to his aid. In one of the shootings, he is arrested and placed in jail. The priest comes to the prisoner - Montanelli. However, the Gadfly insults him.

Friends help to organize an escape, but it fails. The gadfly is again chained in a chain. He asks him to visit Montanelli. The priest comes and Rivares realizes that Arthur is he. Cardinal understands that his son is alive, and offers help. But the Gadfly agrees only on the condition that Montanelli refuses sanny and religion in general, which he can not do.

The Cardinal agrees to a military court, Arthur is shot.

At the sermon the cardinal dreams that there is blood everywhere.

Gemma comes a posthumous letter from Rivares, where he reports that he is Arthur. A woman laments that she again lost her beloved.

Montanelli dies of a heart attack.