De Berniere's Presentation of Politicians in Captain Corelli's Mandolin

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De Berniere's Presentation of Politicians in Captain Corelli's Mandolin In Captain Corelli's Mandolin, De Bernieres includes chapters which are dedicated to Mussolini and Metaxas. He uses actual historical figures alongside fictional characters to add a sense of reality and to give the novel an historical aspect. De Bernieres presents both politicians in a contrasting way. He introduces Mussolini who delivers a dramatic monologue in chapter 2. The chapter satirises Mussolini's character depicting him as a bad leader who has a love of violence and an obsession with Hitler's Nazi regime. He is shown to be a megalomaniac, incompetent, vain and ruthless. Metaxas on the other hand is seen as a more pathetic figure, a sick and dying man but one who is honorable and respected by his people. Although there are only two chapters written on Mussolini in the novel, he is referred to throughout the novel by other characters. In chapter 2 Mussolini is shown to be vain and arrogant and obsessed with mirrors and his appearance. He asks one of his subordinates, 'Now tell me something; which is my best profile, right or left….. go and fetch me some mirrors so that I can arrange to see for myself'. Because of his small stature and his feelings of self importance, Mussolini feels that he must always appear to be above the people and therefore dispatches somebody to go around the city 'to find the best balconies'. De Bernieres portrays his character quite accurately in this respect. In reality, Mussolini had the power to censor the press as he wanted the Italians to see him as a superhuman being. He produced propaganda to promote the cult of 'Il Duce... ... middle of paper ... ...oing as he misses a meeting with the British minister. De Bernieres shows Metaxas to be an honest and uncorrupted person and research shows that he was looked upon to be a good prime minister by the Greek people. 'Metaxas was an honest politician, you see. He was never accused of corruption even by his enemies'. He seems to be respected by the Greek people. His house is described as a fairly modest 'pseudo-Byzantiane' villa. He never used state funds to embellish his lifestyle as Ciano observes 'There could not have been a man more different from the Duce'. The main two political figures that De Bernieres includes in the novel are shown to have contrasting characters, although the author describes them in a humourous way which is quite far fetched at times, he manages to show how futile the war and politicians are.

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