La scomparsa della vedova inconsolabile, Andrea Camilleri

Sicilian Dialect and Italian Translation

  • Left Column (Sicilian Dialect) / Right Column (Italian) - il sittantino

    • tanticchia

    • si presentò

    • parve

    • chiese

    • scomparve

    • uomo di settant'anni

    • facenna

    • riuscì

    • s'appresentò

    • guardare

    • parse

    • usci

    • la fimmina

    • arrinisci

    • nisci

    • spiò

    • rapri

    • scomparse

  • il taliano mascolo (the male Italian)

  • un po' (a little bit)

  • arrivò (arrived)

  • segno passato remoto di "parere" (sign past remote of "to seem")

  • segno passato remoto di "chiedere" (sign past remote of "to ask")

  • segno passato remoto di "scomparire" (sign past remote of "to disappear")

  • uomo (man)

  • faccenda (matter, affair)

  • riuscì (succeeded)

  • si presentò (presented himself)

  • guardare (to look)

  • parve (seemed)

  • uscì (exited)

  • la donna (the woman)

  • riuscì (succeeded)

  • nessuno (no one)

  • spiò (spied, asked)

  • aprì (opened)

  • scomparve (disappeared)

Introduction to the Text

  • Text Title: Inspector Collura's Investigations

  • Author: Andrea Camilleri, published by Libreria dell'Orso (2002)

  • Protagonists:

    • The Sicilian inspector Cecè Collura

    • His deputy, Scipio Premuda (from Trieste)

    • A Neapolitan friend of Premuda

  • Setting: Aboard a cruise ship

Description of the Cruisers

  • Social Identity:

    • Defined as the inhabitants of a small, provisional, and moving village.

    • In three days of navigation, everyone gets to know each other well.

    • Life, death, and miracles of each person.

    • Private vices and public virtues are also known.

"Sparlatina" Phenomenon

  • Definition:

    • "Sparlatina" is the phenomenon of gossip and intrigue commentary.

    • It involves exchanging personal information among cruisers.

Cruisers' Nicknames

  • Representation of Social Culture:

    • Commendator Gaudenzio Pirolli: Bald and fat, nicknamed "rolling stone."

    • Signora Tarantino: A nuisance in conversation, nicknamed "horsefly."

    • Signora Gemma Ardigò: Called "the inconsolable widow."

    • Reason for the nickname: She dressed in black, melancholic, emanated palpable sadness.

    • Despite her surprising beauty, she was never approached by adventurers.

The Transformation of Gemma Ardigò

  • Cruise Context:

    • Traveling to overcome a depressive crisis, caused by sad domestic atmospheres.

    • Husband Mario Vittorio Ardigò: Luminary of cardiovascular surgery.

    • Information about Mario's marital life: A spectacle of infidelity and jealousy towards Gemma.

Plot Development

  • Interaction between Gemma and her Husband:

    • Phone calls and central operator's responsiveness.

    • One night before the end of the cruise, the only direct call to Gemma was from her husband Ardigò.

    • Interactions at the switchboard:

    • The central operator discovered the phone was busy for a long time.

Inspector Collura's Reaction

  • Monthly Concern:

    • Recognition of the seriousness of the situation.

    • Professor Ardigò's behavior: jealousy and control over his wife.

Confirmation of the Situation

  • Meeting with the Deputy Inspector:

    • Premuda informed Collura of Mrs. Ardigò's absence.

    • Discussion of probable emergencies related to the woman's behavior.

Investigations into Mrs. Ardigò's Behavior

  • Mrs. Gemma's Communication:

    • The lady called the police station, annoyed by the intrusion.

  • Discovery of the Truth:

    • Gemma revealed she was with a friend, confirming a transgression.

Discussion and Educational Reflection

Text Comprehension

  1. Who are the cruisers according to Camilleri?

  2. What is meant by "sparlatina"?

  3. Origin of the cruisers' nicknames?

  4. Reason for Gemma's presence on the cruise alone?

  5. Husband Ardigò's situation:

    • Profession and personality

  6. Her husband's reactions to his wife's absence?

  7. Who is looking for Gemma on the ship? Hypotheses on her behavior?

  8. Collura's concerns for Gemma?

  9. Mrs. Gemma's reaction when sought?

  10. Where was Gemma and with whom?

Analysis and Interpretation

  1. Summary of the story in 30 words

  2. Description of the main characters

  3. Reflection on the initial thought of the story

  4. Reasons for the nickname 'inconsolable widow'

  5. Hypothesis on Dr. Ardigò's urgency in searching for Gemma

  6. Definition of Collura and his investigation

  7. Opinion on Gemma's fidelity

  8. Search for irony in the text