The village in which Pina and
Maricchia live is haunted by Pina, the “She-wolf”, or as I see her, a
she-devil. Never satisfied by anything, Pina goes around town sleeping with
husbands, sons, and even the village priest. Women of the town make the sign of
the cross whenever she passes and Pina never goes to church. Her pale skin,
erotic features, and devilish eyes portray her menacingly as well as
seductively, both of which are traits associated with the devil. For example,
the devil is popularly known to sign contracts for people’s souls in return for
something they desire. She possesses the town’s people quite easily but has
trouble seducing a handsome farm boy, Nanni, and gives him Maricchia. Having no
trouble whatsoever with adultery, she pursues Nanni which infuriates Maricchia
beginning her transformation into a she-wolf. More evidence of Nanni’s hellish
characteristics is that she seduces Nanni during hours traditionally believed
to be under the spell of malignant spirits. Pina is a malignant spirit. Even
though Nanni does not want to have a relationship with her, she comes to him
unceasingly to the point that he would rather go to jail then see her again. Not
knowing what to do he considers “gouge[ing] his eyes out to not see” her; he
turns to the Catholic Church, but to no avail and is pushed to the point of
murder. I know that Pina is devilish and inhuman because of the last paragraph.
Faced with a “wild-eyed”, axe wielding mad man, Pina does not miss a step, and only
able to manage, “damn your soul”, Nanni finally realizes her nature.
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