"I am a gadfly, happy! Whether you are alive or dead. "
This novel is the life story of Arthur, an Italian youth aged 19.
Although Arthur was born into a noble family, he was actually the illegitimate child of his mother and priest Montanelli. Arthur has two half-brothers who are indifferent to him, and his sister-in-law Julia regards him as a thorn in his side. After his parents died, Arthur hated coming back to this home even more.
After Montanelli was transferred, Father Cuddy became Arthur's confessor. Arthur told Cuddy that he had joined the revolutionary organization. The spy Cuddy later betrayed Arthur, which led to Arthur's imprisonment. After Arthur's trial failed, Comrade Paula was betrayed by others, and Arthur was later released. Joan Ma, Arthur's childhood friend, thought that Arthur had betrayed Paula, so she slapped Arthur. After returning home, Arthur was called to talk by his brother. Sister-in-law was very angry and gave him Arthur's mother's confession. Arthur knew that he was the son of his mother and father Montanelli, and his mother wrote a confession to his father. His father decided not to publish it. But asked his mother not to see the priest.
Arthur was angry, desperate and ashamed because of cheating. The God he trusted betrayed him. With a series of attacks, he recognized the so-called God, and he changed from an extremely devout Catholic to an atheist. He faked his own death and sneaked out of Italy at night, leaving those who cheated him and made him sad and desperate.
During 13' s overseas career, the author did not describe in detail how Arthur spent it. After the story developed to 13, Arthur returned to Italy, and he became a satirist and revolutionary leader with a dark face, scarred face and broken fingers. He became a gadfly. Everyone can't recognize him. He talked about his 13 years of dribs and drabs of suffering in getting along with Joan's mother again and again, and how those inhuman sufferings gradually made him become a man with a strong heart.
His heart is deeply attached to Montanelli, and he hates it. He is eager for his father's love, but he also hates his father's cowardice and cruelty.
He wrote an article attacking Montanelli with his real name and praised Montanelli anonymously. He pretended to be an old man and deliberately confessed to Montanelli. He killed his son and stabbed Montanelli's heart, but he overheard Montanelli's confession to the idol and comforted the priest.
Arthur's gadfly was recognized in a smuggling. In a firefight with soldiers, the priest suddenly appeared and stood between Arthur and the soldiers, making Arthur unable to shoot and was unfortunately arrested. Arthur fell ill and fainted when he escaped from prison, and was taken back for strict supervision. The priest recognized Arthur in prison, then betrayed Arthur, and Arthur was shot.
After Arthur's death, Montanelli preached at the festival. He was furious at the loss of his son. Later, he was arrested. The newspaper reported the death of Montanelli: the priest died of a sudden heart rupture.
Montanelli, a poor, selfish, cowardly and cold-blooded man without his own will, lived by God all his life. He loves his son, but he can't. He couldn't escape from the cage of thought and pushed his son to death. He has lived for others all his life, preferring to live in fantasy.
The author described every scene in which Montanelli treated Arthur. He loves his son very much, but he can't express it in words. He is also selfish and irresponsible, throwing the decision-making power of things he can't decide to others. Seemingly generous and considerate, it shows that he is irresponsible and wants to reduce his sins and clear his responsibilities.
Arthur, a man with clear love and hate, delicate mind, wisdom and courage, and strong will, always stubbornly resisted no matter what physical torture he experienced. He asked the priest, do you love me or God? Montanelli chose God and Arthur chose death. His life is really too bitter He is a great man.
I am a gadfly,
Happy!
To be alive or not,
Or die!