Symbol of women's oppression
The Italian law that requires young women to be married to their oppressor symbolizes women's oppression. Article 544 of the Penal Code is illogical because its primary objective is to glorify the patriarchal system. According to the law, fathers are given the power to marry off their daughters to their sexual offenders. Consequently, this Italian law is a symbol of oppression against women. Women do not have a voice because men control their freedom. For instance, Rina is married to the man who raped her by force, and there is nothing she can do.
Symbol of betrayal
The author, to emblem treachery, figuratively uses Rina's father. A loving father should be compassionate and consider the interest of her daughter. While growing up, Rina works with her father in the factory, and she plays a very important accounting role. Instead of the father helping her daughter to become a professional in the field she has demonstrated competence, he forcefully marries her to the same sex offender who raped her. Therefore, Rina's father betrays her daughter by putting her in the hands of the oppressor as her custodian for the rest of her life.
The symbolism of rebelliousness
During the patriarchal era, women were required to obey men and do everything according to norms and customs, which in all regard favored men. However, the author brings Poletti as a symbol of rebellion in the 18th century. From an early age, Poletti demonstrated that men would not control her life. For instance, she did the activities done by boys, such as climbing trees, to repel the notion that girls were not allowed to do such activities. Poletti also went ahead to join university against the wishes of her family. Later, she became a feminist and went against all odds to campaign for women’s rights.
