Vita di Bohème ABSTRACT: The Life of Bohème by Henri Murger Chapter 1 - As the Last Supper was instituted Bohème
We are in Paris, in milleottocentoquaranta and broken (the year is unknown). It's April 8th and this, Alexander Schaunard, young musician and painter, is a fateful date. Because he received the eviction by noon and must not only leave the apartment with furniture adnexa (the piano and a table used as a bed or desk as appropriate, all others were burned to keep warm), but must also 75 francs of arrears to the landlord. Problem: he did not have the beak of a penny. But the spends most of the morning nel comporre una canzone inutilmente poetica, solo per scoprire che la sua situazione economica riesce meglio, come tema, della triste storia d'amore di una fanciulla il cui amante è morto. Alle undici del mattino decide di fare qualcosa e andare in giro a cercar soldi, possibilmente chiedendoli in prestito ai suoi vari conoscenti (chiedere soldi in prestito è una sua specialità) e abilmente lascia casa. Poco dopo giunge il nuovo occupante dell'appartamento, il pittore Marcello, possibilmente anche più eccentrico di Schaunard, con un carico di paraventi dipinti che rappresentano tutta la sua mobilia, ma con prospettive alte e originali.
Schaunard raggranella un po' di franchi, ma sono pochi per pagare l'affitto arretrato così fa sent the landlord a notice in which the ads can not fulfill its tasks, and at the same time goes to an inn to spend the little 'which has earned in foods and beverages. Tavern knows Gustavo Colline, a young philosopher and scholar. The two become friends sharing a fricassee of rabbit and many bottles of wine. Then they moved to revel in the Café Momus, where he met another young man, the poet and journalist Rodolfo. Between a glass and another, and a discourse on art and another, the three young men become close friends, especially because of alcohol.
Schaunard, forget of having been evicted, calls at home and Rodolfo Hills. Once home is greeted by the new owner, Marcello. But the four young people instead of taking it to the pro quo here take the opportunity to make friends, and (now it is night), continue the revelry of wine and takeaway food. They fall asleep exhausted, and even more in the morning can not remember on what occasion they met.
But after a while 'to arguments all back to memory. Now feel the four close friends and no longer want to leave, but the work (for what it is) draws everyone to their duties. No matter: it is a matter of hours and the four friends will continue to guzzle weds. Marcello Schaunard
proposes to live together: first we put the house and the other furniture. The musician accepts.
Chapter 2 - Un inviato della Provvidenza
Marcello è stato invitato a una cena importante e questo, proprio adesso che in dispensa non c'è niente da mangiare, è provvidenziale. Ma Schaunard gli fa notare che non ha neanche un vestito nero, elegante da indossare per l'occasione. Marcello sta quasi per rinunciare quando alla loro porta arriva qualcuno: è un commerciante in zucchero che desidera che Schaunard gli faccia un ritratto, più presto possibile perché deve partire. Il commerciante porta un vestito elegante, nero, proprio della taglia di Marcello. Sarebbe l'ideale! La trappola scatta subito: col pretesto di fare un ritratto più realistico che mai, Schaunard convince il commerciante a posare in vestaglia, mentre Marcello wear her dress to go to dinner. Meanwhile, the musician-artist entertains guests with conversation and wine. When Marcello back into the night (well beyond the agreed time) is the friend and client blissfully drunk and asleep.
Chapter 3 - Love of Lent
Rodolfo is in crisis because apparently even though it is Lent in Paris are in love and all paired off except him. This irritates him a lot and suddenly feel the urgent need to embrace a woman but does not know how to find it because he approaches with not doing much. So turn to Schaunard and convinces him to help him make the acquaintance of a pretty girl met at the Café Momus. It is pretty much of a seamstress named Luisa. Pretty, yes, but semi-literate and a bit 'down to earth. Luis Rodolfo invites to dinner at his home when the girl realizes that the poet in addition to the dinner also prepared the bed with fresh linen and white immediately understand the intentions of the young and happy to be moving quickly in the home of amorous advances' artist. But the passionate love story takes a few days, the girl gets tired early spring and the poet for a student more handsome and richer. Time after Rodolfo finds out, because it is a farewell letter to his house, which was also Louise's lover Marcello. He notes that the painter Luisa in the letter to him made two spelling mistakes in meno che per Marcello, ma costui gli dà del tonto: che bisogno ha, dice, una bella ragazza di saper scrivere bene?
Capitolo 4 – Alì-Rodolfo, ovvero il turco per necessità
Rodolfo ha trovato lavoro: suo zio Monetti gli ha commissionato un libro sugli impianti di riscaldamento. Ma Rodolfo non si sente tagliato per questo lavoro e va molto per le lunghe perciò lo zio, per obbligarlo a scrivere, ricorre a una soluzione drastica. Lo chiude in casa senza vestiti (gli lascia solo una sorta di abbigliamento da turco) e gli raziona cibo e tabacco. Ma Rodolfo va allo stesso a rilento, perché quel lavoro proprio non gli piace. Rimasto senza tabacco, e quindi disperato, Rodolfo si affaccia al balcone e vede that the tenant downstairs, the pretty actress Sidonie, she is also on the balcony to smoke a cigarette. He manages to convince the girl to pass tobacco smoke, and while there is also food. The letter comes a notify him that he won a cash prize for a literary competition, so with the help of Sidonie manages to escape to collect it, and spin 'work on heating systems. Sidonie can ensure that the tragedy written by Rudolph, the Avenger, is represented in the theater. The good fortune did not last long: a few weeks time and Rudolph is again under the bridge.
Chapter 5 - The Shield of Charlemagne
Rodolfo and Marcello, now live together, have decided to organize a big party for the artistic world of Paris. The program is rolled out, everything is ready ... missing is the money. It is a year that the announcement of the festival goes to empty and now the story has become the joke of their artistic milieu. Now it seems the right time, but once again ... there is no money. But it can not be put off again, the fool would be intolerable. Two days after party Rodolfo and Marcello are hoping to find money in some way: by listening to his uncle Rodolfo Monetti, who likes to have someone to complain, and Marcello selling a painting done in a jiffy in a junk shop. But both projects have a hole in the water. The two decide to rummage house from top to bottom because you never know, there might be a treasure forever abandoned by previous owners. Looking everywhere, they find an ancient coin, a shield Carolingian lost by someone. Something can bear fruit, so while Marcello goes to the junk dealer to sell, Rodolfo runs from the hills to borrow a suit. Yes, because between the four hills is the only one who owns a black suit (even though it is actually blue) wedding. The philosopher, who is also speaker at the party, he would wear it, but Rudolph manages to have it give the excuse that he, as landlord, can not deface. So empty your pockets of countless books that you always carry Hills (qualcuno lo definisce perciò una biblioteca ambulante) e torna a casa col prezioso bottino, per scoprire che Marcello è riuscito a ottenere da quel vecchio scudo molti più soldi di quanto preventivato. E così la festa riesce un vero successo, roba da far invidia alla stessa principessa di Belgioioso, Femia, l'amante di Schaunard, è la reginetta della festa... e ci sono perfino le candele!
Capitolo 6 – Musette
Musette è una ragazza assai graziosa, vivace, intelligente, amante delle belle cose... soprattutto amante. Da quando è arrivata a Parigi s'è subito fatta notare per il suo brio e le sue deliziose scollature. Ora ha vent'anni ed è l'amante di un consigliere di stato, giovane e bello perché comunque lei non accetta mai di accompagnarsi a uomini che non le piacciano, anche a costo di perderci molti soldi. Grazie a questo nuovo amante può permettersi di vivere nel lusso e dare feste strepitose. Purtroppo però il rapporto s'interrompe e lei finisce in strada con tutti i suoi mobili proprio la sera in cui aveva organizzato una delle sue feste. Ma questo per lei non è certo un motivo valido per rinunciarvi: la festa si fa lo stesso, in cortile. Ed è in quest'occasione che Rodolfo, che è suo amico (inspiegabilmente i due non saranno mai altro che semplici amici) le presenta Marcello e tra i due scatta subito una forte intesa, nonostante l'abbigliamento di Marcello lasci alquanto a desiderare (porta una sgargiante camicia blu con disegni di cinghiali e cani da caccia e sopra il vecchio Matusalemme, come chiama il suo unico completo scuro ormai fuori moda da anni). La festa è assai animata e termina solo l'indomani, quando i rigattieri vanno a prendere i mobili.
Rimasta senza casa e non avendo ancora voglia di ritirarsi e adattarsi a star sotto un ponte, Musette trascorre l'intera giornata con Rodolfo e Marcello, e insieme i tre giovani fanno una scampagnata spassandosela molto. Soprattutto Musette e Marcello che continuano a scambiarsi baci, carezze e manifestazioni d'affetto varie.
A fine giornata, tornati in città, Marcello ospita la ragazza nel suo appartamento e, nonostante le proteste della giovane, lui le cede letto e casa preferendo farsi ospitare Rodolfo, who lives next door. The next day, Marcello
alarm Musette bringing the gift of a bouquet of flowers and she, pleasantly surprised by those tender attentions, she agrees to become the lover of the painter, but only "until the flowers fade," which requires only a couple of days.
But he spent fifteen days, the flowers and so resist the coexistence between Marcello and Musetta. One night the painter
wakes up and finds no Musette beside him in bed. But now finds out where she is: the water is changing the flowers to keep them from wilting.
Chapter 7 - The rivers of gold
A March 19 Rudolph, who lives in this period with Marcello, receives the astronomical cifra di 500 franchi. Questo denaro gli è stato donato da una persona che spera che Rodolfo l'impieghi saggiamente per farsi una posizione onesta nel mondo. E per tenere fede a questo presupposto lui spende immediatamente 25 franchi per comprarsi una pipa pregiata (che gli durerà di più delle solite pipe economiche e perciò questo è da considerarsi un investimento). Torna a casa e fa quasi prendere un colpo al pittore facendogli tintinnare davanti tutte quelle monete.
I due decidono immediatamente di comportarsi in maniera assennata: quei soldi dovranno durare almeno tre mesi e perciò è bene economizzare e limitarsi alle spese necessarie eliminando il superfluo. Per questo motivo il denaro non verrà impiegato per pagare i creditori (sarebbe unnecessary expenditure) but to eat at the restaurant (and save time by not having to cook), buy tobacco, clothing and so on. The two are also taking a butler handyman, Baptist, which makes them save time in looking after the house.
spent eight days and Rodolfo and Marcello realizes with dismay that their wealth is exhausted and that the money is gone. How was that possible? Yet they were extremely frugal, and much has gone into "miscellaneous expenses", but certainly not all and 500 francs.
What happened? Soon said that morning, while the two artists were out, now is the landlord demanding the rent money and Battista, diligent, has seen fit to use the money to pay off the remaining debt.
But the rent is an unnecessary expense! The poor butler is so fired.
Chapter 8 - What cost five francs
Rodolfo falls in love with the milliner Laura and decides to make his lover for a few days, so invites her to dinner and she immediately accepted with enthusiasm.
Laura is a girl of a certain elegance and Rodolfo keep at least make a good impression on a first date, but unfortunately, as usual, has the beak of a penny, and his purpose of going to the drafting of the Scarf 's Iris, the newspaper for which he works, ask for an advance fails miserably: that day, unfortunately, have all gone to Versailles to watch a game of water fountains. How do you find at least 5 francs by night?
He goes to an acquaintance, a theater critic and write a review for something he can scrape together. Another bit 'of money to his uncle Monetti unstitching them, something else if he does pay his laundry in exchange for some books of poetry, and still manages to get something from a friend not too met by chance, telling him that they needed of money to take a cab and going to collect a large sum.
short, with a thousand little tricks, he manages to put together, to the penny, the five francs longed. He spent a pleasant evening with Laura and she eventually won, accept with joy to be his lover.
Chapter 9 - The violets in the Polo
During this period, Rodolfo is in love with his cousin Angela, daughter of the usual Uncle Monetti.
Angela has eighteen years, is very beautiful but cold and sour for the last six years because she was raised by an aunt in the country devoted to fanaticism, and so it turns out that the blood flows in my veins instead of holy water. And most just do not bear Rodolfo.
But he insists that so long ago and eventually came to promise to give her a bouquet of white violets for a dance to which the girl must participate in a little later.
rash promise, because it is winter and when Rodolfo, out of curiosity, decides to go to a florist for the price of the bouquet learns that the beauty of this coast (minimum) 10 francs!
And how do you find them? But it has promised, and then has eight days to scrape together. Unfortunately this time
Providence does not seem to help him, spend 5 days and Rodolfo did not find anything. Therefore decides to go to consult with Marcello. Luck has it that he met the painter in that in a woman, fresh widow, who commissioned a painting commemorating the husband Marcello and Rodolfo a poignant epitaph that will be paid to the delivery, just 10 francs.
Rudolph lives in an apartment esposto ai venti e decisamente gelido, per di più non ha soldi per acquistare legna da ardere nel camino e tutti i mobili di legno che aveva sono già stati sacrificati allo scopo da un pezzo. Perciò si fa prestare da Marcello un caldissimo travestimento da orso polare (tanto è carnevale e anche se gira così in città nessuno ci farà caso) e per scaldarsi anche le mani mentre compone l'epitaffio brucia una delle vecchie bozze della sua lunghissima tragedia, il Vendicatore.
Riesce in questo modo a terminare il lavoro, ottenere i dieci franchi e acquistare in tempo il bouquet di violette bianche per Angela.
Alla festa il bouquet della fanciulla è molto ammirato da tutti e la ragazza potrebbe anche rivolgere un pensiero di riconoscenza a Rodolfo, se non fosse che è molto più interessata a un bel giovanotto biondo che le fa la corte.
E Rodolfo, il quale non è stato invitato alla festa, non può far altro che limitarsi a guardare le luci del ballo dall'alto della sua gelida magione e sospirare.
Capitolo 10 – Il “Capo delle Tempeste”
Ci sono delle date, ogni mese, che Rodolfo detesta in modo particolare il 1° e il 15. Come mai? Perché sono i giorni in cui arrivano i creditori.
Oggi è proprio la mattina del 15 di aprile, e Rodolfo sta dormendo della grossa sognando di aver appena ereditato il Perù con tutti i peruviani, quando il suo sogno d'oro viene interrotto dall'arrivo di un creditore che requires 150 francs on behalf of the tailor. After him comes the landlord, and cobbler, and lender, to require well 162 francs. Rodolfo try to deceive you with witty turns of phrase but does not stick: If you pay by evening will be evicted.
therefore decided to go to his friends looking for loans, but April 15 is also for them. And even his attempt to take advantage of a voucher for a meal in an association is successful, because the rally is illegal and is interrupted by the police.
distressed by the meager success, Rodolfo back home, but the owner tells him that now the apartment has been rented to another tenant. Rodolfo but can increase to recover at least his cards.
is conducted in the apartment and discovers that the new tenant is Mimi, pretty and vivacious girl in the past with which he has already had a brief affair. The girl has no heart
leaving Rodolfo in the street (because it rains) and decided to host it. Rodolfo, grateful, covers it with kisses. Now the 15 has passed, and the "Cape of Storms" was dubbed.
Chapter 11 - The meeting of
Bohème Bohème
The four friends have the habit to meet frequently at the Café Momus, what you do not like the owner of the premises as four, with their noise, their arrogance and Their language is often trivial, tend to scare away all other customers, and most consume little and often do not pay for their drinks. Mr. Momus set out in paragraphs clear the reasons of complaints:
1 - Rudolph the morning always comes and steals all the local newspapers, and has virtually forced the coffee to subscribe to Beaver, fashion magazine of which he is editor in chief.
2 - Rodolfo Hills and appropriate the table for days trictrac preventing other patrons to enjoy it.
3 - Marcello used the premises as if it were a private studio, taking with him his canvases, colors and stands, and sometimes models of both sexes.
4 - Similarly Schaunard has placed at his piano and Momus has posted around advertisements that advertise private music lessons praying to "contact your bank for information. These alerts often meets people equivocal. Also his wife, Femia, never wears his hat.
5 - Not content to spend a little already, the four took to bring coffee from home saying that they put us in one of Momus chicory.
6 - The waiter, misled by talk of four, took a blatantly courting the woman working the counter never mind the fact that this is also the wife of Mr. Momus. Furthermore, it seems that Rudolph to help him in this shady business.
In short, Mr. Momus are fed up and would like the four friends find another venue, but Hill, who is a good speaker, able to persuade him of their good intentions and bohemian to compromise by going to meet at least some demands of the operator.
Things seem to subside for a few days, but one night the friends have to Momus with their lovers, Musette, lover Marcello, Mimi, who is with Rodolfo and Femia, the woman Schaunard. Missing the lover of hills that has been home to proofread some manuscripts of the companion. The girls are in the mood for celebration, and between wines, spirits and food ordering a dinner for more than 25 francs. Of course none of them have all that money, and is already unleashing a furious argument with the manager of the restaurant. The
Friends, however, did not notice a guy who watches them with interest for some weeks. This is Barbemouche Carolus, an aspiring artist with a passion for philosophy and literature very wealthy (the four call it "capitalism" since they saw that pay off a bill with a piece above), who desires to unite all 'merry gang. He pays on their behalf and, before the reaction of the four, who feel offended by this gesture, the sum agreed to play billiards, wisely as losing knows he must do if you want their approval.
Chapter 12 - A new member in La Bohème
exiting the local Barbemuche is queued in the Hills and invites to drink something else, and meanwhile exposes his desire to be part of the upper room of La Bohème. The philosopher promises to put in a good word, but does not guarantee that others will accept, after all, if you add an item to a quartet, then it is no longer a quartet. These are things that make us think. The next day
Hills reaches Momus friends at lunch and present the demands of the young, but the boys are very hesitant because they fear that this alleged artist intended their women. Hills reassures them: Barbemouche is a Platonist, a man who dares to love women, and girls not at risk.
The friends decide to give a chance for the young but first want to study it carefully one by one meetings with private and only then, if it is accepted, he will offer them a party not less than 12 francs.
The first is Rudolph, who is welcomed into the luxurious house Barbemouche and must put up with reading a long novel written by the boy. Apart from this, however, the impression is good. Even better for Schaunard, and even for Marcello, who was the most difficult. The new member is accepted and the party organized.
will be held at the home of Viscount and Barbemouche teenage student who seems very happy about the idea of \u200b\u200bgirls.
The four friends raid the closet of Barbemouche to obtain adequate housing, and the dinner party is a success, all you can eat and enjoy, il viscontino passa la serata a fare piedino sotto il tavolo a Mimì. Tutti sono contenti tranne Marcello. Le scarpe eleganti prese in prestito da Barbemouche gli stanno strette e questo secondo lui vuol dire che loro non potranno mai essere amici.
Capitolo 13 – Una nuova unione
Rodolfo non si vede in giro da un po' e gli amici sono preoccupati, ma il più preoccupato di tutti è Colline, perché il poeta deve fargli pubblicare il suo primo articolo di filosofia sul Castoro ma non gli ha detto quando. Lo cerca così in lungo e in largo e alla fine, venuto a sapere il suo nuovo domicilio, si presenta da lui alle sei del mattino. Rodolfo dorme e non gli apre la porta, ma Colline scopre davanti alla soglia di casa due paia Shoe boots men's and women's boots. Rodolfo has a lover, that's why he had disappeared! The news raises
disbelief and amazement in the circle, because nobody expects anything like Rodolfo. But soon, everything is confirmed by the poet himself, inviting friends to dinner with his signature "Rodolfo and his wife."
The lady in question is Mimi, who prepared a delicious dinner for the artists. Hills learns that his article will be published within a few days, is no longer in the emotion itself and begins to do ramblings. The wine flows freely, friends carouse but no sign of wanting to leave, and Rodolfo is now eager to stay alone with his Mimi, which gives him considerable and sustained languid gazes. We think Marcello
to draw him out of trouble, with a few trivial excuses away friends drunk and goes too. Rodolfo and Mimi can finally make love.
Chapter 14 - Everybody knows
Mimi: Mimi (whose real name is Lucilla) is the great love of Rodolfo. But it is a tormented and tormenting love, that rends the heart of the young poet. Mimi is pretty, intelligent, seemingly sweet and accommodating, with big blue eyes and long brown hair. But beneath the mild appearance hides a capricious character and considerable self-interest.
Rodolfo is always romantic mood, so that Marcello (also because of early baldness) was saddled with the nickname of the Forget-me-Calvo.
He knew Mimi because she was the mistress of his friend and the two got together almost immediately. Rodolfo is in love with Mimi, and for a while 'that she believes the parts, but soon has to face facts: Mimi's is so fond of, but does not love him and never loved it. The girl, however, misled by certain friends, it is increasingly dissatisfied with the miserable life that leads the poet and ambition makes her look better elsewhere. It is with great sorrow that Rodolfo Mimi discovers that his unfaithful to him and all his many absences are not due to visits by his aunt, come lei gli aveva detto, bensì a incontri con numerosi amanti. Ferito, Rodolfo decide di lasciare la ragazza: tra i numerosi litigi, le poche notti d'amore e le ormai evidenti infedeltà di Mimì la vita con lei gli è divenuta insostenibile.
Mimì cerca di farsi perdonare ma si accorge di non riuscire a smuovere il giovane, ormai troppo amareggiato, e si appresta subito a trovarsi un altro amante danaroso e nobile.
Rodolfo alterna momenti di cupa disperazione e falso entusiasmo; partecipa a una festa, rimorchia una giovane bella e disponibile, ma al dunque la respinge e se ne torna a casa a disperarsi perché ha perso la sua Mimì. Neppure i suoi amici riescono a fargli aprire gli occhi parlandogli di tutti i difetti e i tradimenti della ragazza: lui è troppo innamorato.
Rodolfo riceve la visita di Amelia, che è un'amica di Mimì ed è andata da lui a recuperare gli effetti personali che la ragazza ha lasciato a casa del poeta. Gli fa così sapere che il nobile danaroso ha lasciato Mimì, la quale adesso è ospite a casa sua. Rodolfo perciò finge di corteggiare Amelia solo per ricevere notizie fresche di Mimì.
Amelia racconta tutto all'amica sperando di ingelosirla, ma la ragazza ha capito il tranello. Quando Rodolfo invita Amelia a un ballo, Mimì fa in modo di presentarsi invece lei all'appuntamento. Il dolore ha conferito a Rodolfo un aspetto più maturo e sofferto e Mimì comincia a pentirsi di averlo lasciato. Quando il poeta invita the girl to his house to recover her things she goes there. And we have left.
Chapter 15 - Shared Lives
How they met Marcello and Musetta know. Got together on a whim, and their relationship is often quite lively, punctuated by frequent quarrels. It was during one of these quarrels the two realize they are not able to split up and realize, with great dismay, that he really in love. When Rudolph comes to reveal the fatal news. He lives next door at that time with Mimi and soon another couple of neighbors joined them: and his Schaunard Femia. For a while, 'the three couples enjoy themselves. Who does not enjoy at all is the neighborhood. The other inhabitants
the building are continually disturbed by the love lives of his friends. There are often accompanied by furious arguments with yelling and throwing of heavy objects. But when the lovers reconcile and perhaps even worse, because the thin walls of the building shall ensure that no detail escapes the amorous neighbors. For this reason, many of them, exasperated, they decide to leave.
The idyll does not last more than six months. The first to let are Femia and Schaunard, because of her knees. Fifteen days after leaving Rodolfo Mimì to run into the arms of the Viscount and former student of Barbemouche. It is therefore the time of Musetta, the nostalgic life of comfort that led first to take up with Marcello, yields the court of Alexius, a young rich and brilliant that allows her to live in luxury. Alessio has a complaint other than a detail: Musette does not seem at all in love with him. Probably, she tells him, is because he left the house in the heart of Marcellus. And if only the painter was so penniless she would never have left. Marcello and Musetta
Later they meet again the avenue. She is an elegant lady who gets out of a car showing off a very well-turned leg. He begins to woo her before you even realize that she is, attracted only one leg. The two begin to chat, joke and argue like old times.
With a banal excuse, fails to get invited Musette Marcello's house. When Rudolph saw them come hand in hand already knows how things go. Ah, this love that never run out!
Chapter 16 - The Passage of the Red Sea
past six years working on Marcello framework that considers his masterpiece: the Crossing of the Red Sea. He wants to be bought by the Louvre and for this reason the Committee continues to send a special, which promptly rejects him forever. The painting has traveled so many times on the way between the study of Marcellus and the Museum (and back) that could almost go there alone.
To prevent the commission recognizes the framework Marcello in turn will make some small changes and change the title, so una volta diventa Cesare che attraversa il Rubicone, un'altra è il Passaggio delle Beresina... ma a quanto pare l'inghippo non funziona: i giudici lo riconoscono sempre e sempre lo respingono. La cosa esaspera il povero pittore.
Un giorno in cui i nostri amici sono particolarmente a corto di quattrini ricevono la visita del rigattiere Medici. Lui ha trovato qualcuno interessato ad acquistare il Passaggio del Mar Rosso alla cifra di 150 franchi. Marcello dapprima protesta sostenendo che solo di colori ha speso di più, ma poi gli amici lo persuadono ad accettare la generosa offerta.
Tempo dopo Marcello viene a scoprire dov'è finito il suo quadro. Dopo aver subito ulteriori ritocchi è diventato “Al Porto di Marsiglia” ed è l'insegna di un negozio di alimentari, tra l'ammirazione del pubblico.
Marcello si allontana soddisfatto: dopotutto al popolo il suo quadro piace!
Capitolo 17 – La toilette delle grazie
Per una volta tanto Rodolfo ha accettato un lavoro solo per denaro e non per amor dell'arte. Sta infatti scrivendo, per conto di un dentista, un poema sulla chirurgia. I soldi che gli verranno in tasca da questo lavoro gli permetteranno di acquistare l'occorrente affinché Mimì possa farsi un abito bellissimo ed elegante. La ragazza è tanto entusiasta per questa prospettiva che ne parla con Musette e Femia, le quali pretendono dai loro uomini altrettanto spirito di sacrificio.
Per questo motivo Marcello accetta di far ritratti per tutti i soldati di una caserma, e Schaunard accetta un lavoro perfino più strano. C'è un nobile inglese, Mister Birn'n, che ha una vicina estremamente fastidiosa. Costei, Dolores (si spaccia per spagnola ma è francesissima), abita al piano di sotto, è un'attrice e possiede un pappagallo parlante che assilla i vicini col suo incessante chiacchiericcio spesso assai volgare. Mister Birn'n ha cercato di farla desistere inutilmente con le buone. Poi ha preso altri provvedimenti: ha aperto in casa una scuola per percussionisti (ma le autorità gliel'hanno fatta chiudere per schiamazzi), ha installato un poligono di tiro per i domestici (fatto chiudere dalle autorità perché è proibito usare armi da fuoco in abitazioni private), has even flooded the living room, transforming it into the pool with a lot of marine fish, with Dolores bothering to water infiltration. But even this made gliel'hanno dismantle. But no one can prevent him from playing the piano in his house, and here comes Schaunard: from evening to morning play will repeat the musical scale, always the same, because we know that nothing is more irritating than someone who exercises constantly on the piano . The young musician agrees and she finally got in your pocket the beauty of 200 francs.
Eventually the three girls get new clothes and the much longed with their elegant and beautiful, and Hills, who accompanies them, spend a wonderful day in the streets of Paris and the countryside. In the evening, needless to say, money is already finished all.
Chapter 18 - The sleeve
Francine Jacques could have become a great sculptor, and talented he was, had he not died of exhaustion in a hospital at the age of 23 years.
Jacques is very young and passionate about his art, but to follow the sacred muse is poor in the chamber. And this makes it often melancholic and depressed, especially when it has nothing to put under your teeth. It is also part of a group, the Water Drinkers, artists, art lovers as well as to refuse to stoop to sell out for money, preferring instead the misery. The nearby Jacques is also a poor seamstress, the blonde, pretty and vivacious Francine. The two have already noticed, but never had the courage to speak to me. One spring evening
Jacques is very depressed, so he remains at home to smoke his pipe to fill with smoke throughout the room. That same evening, Francine is returning home when the plane arrived, a gust of wind off the candle. She does not like to get off and go back to back on five floors in the lobby, just a little 'out of laziness and a little' out of curiosity, decided to knock on the door of Jacques and ask them a favor and turn the candle.
The boy opens, but the smoke is so that as soon as Francine goes into his house collapses. Jacques the rescues, throws open the window per far uscire il fumo, e un colpo di vento spegne anche la sua candela. Le chiavi di casa di Francine sono cadute in terra e i due le cercano a tentoni, le loro mani s'incontrano e i due cominciano a parlarsi. Scatta il colpo di fulmine. Francine spinge le chiavi sotto un mobile: non ha nessuna voglia di ritrovarle.
L'amore tra loro sboccia immediato e appassionato.
Però Francine è tisica, e il medico (che è anche caro amico di Jacques) non le ha dato più di sei mesi di vita. Se ne andrà in autunno, quando cadranno le foglie.
Jacques fa di tutto per Francine, abbandona il circolo dei Bevitori d'Acqua (che non approverebbe il suo comportamento) e accetta lavori anche umili pur di procurare le medicine per curare Francine. But she does not want to hear about the disease, what she wants to live happily is giving all her love to Jacques, who is his first and only love, and throw the medicine out the window knowing that I can help. Long as he can, tries to make her happy more than ever, man.
But then comes autumn, and the end is near. Francine
cold, a sleeve for when calls will be colder and Jacques him attorney. The last day
Francine knows that now is the end and ask the doctor a medicine that takes up to donate to Jacques last night of love. The next day Francine died, and Jacques hard to resign.
before she is buried Jacques, aided by his amico medico, prende un calco in gesso di Francine e lei, per un istante, a causa del calore del gesso fuso, pare ancora viva. Ma è un'illusione.
Jacques si dà da fare per guadagnare tanto da dare a Francine una bella tomba, e intanto si mette al lavoro per modellare una statua d'angelo che abbia il volto di Francine, da collocare sulla sua tomba. È molto bravo, e non fatica a trovare nuove commissioni, anche se si tratta di cose commerciali che i puristi Bevitori d'Acqua non approverebbero. La gente comincia ad apprezzarlo, ma lui si dedica solo al lavoro e alla statua dell'angelo. Non può dimenticare la sua Francine.
Passa il tempo, è di nuovo primavera, sulla tomba di Francine sono sbocciati bellissimi fiori e Jacques takes it as a sign from his beloved. A signal that would encourage you to live. Rudolph suggests that it is time to fall in love again and just want another woman Jacques equal to Francine.
At a party of the country knows Mary, who looks a lot like Francine. The courts and the two become lovers. But Jacques is behaving strangely, and gives her a black dress and pretends that she always brings. And one day when she dresses in pink, Jacques gets angry, because he is under the illusion of being able to love again through Mary Francine, pretending that the latter is still the first. But things never work as well. Someone suggests to Mary the truth: the Jacques is doing to mourn for Francine. She is offended and leaves the sculptor. For him it is the end.
exhaustion soon took him to hospital, where he continues to work on the sketch of the statue of Francine. When leaving the forces he realizes that he can never finish the statue in marble, but give the plaster to the hospital chapel. The boy finally died and his father, who never agreed with her choice to give himself to art, even skimp on the funeral. Jacques is buried somewhere in a mass grave.
The chapter is often interrupted by comments from readers who complain that this story does nothing to laugh. But the author warns them: the bohemian can not always be fun!
Chapter 19 - The vagaries of Musette
is the day following that on which Marcello has sold the painting, the famous passage from the Red Sea. The night before the flea market together with the 150 francs Doctors also offered them a lavish dinner with copious libations, and the four friends have raised his elbow to the point that now awakening, at lunchtime, have completely forgotten the events of the evening and are still convinced of not having the beak of a penny as the previous day. But when
Schaunard reached into his coat pocket and finds a lobster alive (the result of a raid in the kitchen of the restaurant the night before) and Marcello is the 150 francs in his pocket, everything comes to mind. The four friends decided to celebrate immediately la loro inaspettata fortuna ordinando da mangiare e bere in abbondanza e acquistando carbone per il camino, che non vede fuoco da tempo.
In quella Marcello ritrova accidentalmente un vecchio biglietto scrittogli tempo prima da Musette. Povera cara: quanto freddo ha patito a causa sua! Nostalgico della sua bella (attualmente sono tutti da soli tranne Colline, la cui amante è una sartina destinata a rimanere perennemente nell'anonimato), Marcello le scrive una lettera in cui la invita a raggiungerlo per godere con lui dell'insolita fortuna e del festino di cibi e calore che questa fornisce: faccia con comodo, i quattro contano di non alzarsi da tavola per almeno una settimana!
Marcello consegna la lettera da portare a Musette al portinaio, pagandolo for the service. This, in seeing that the painter seems to have a lot of money, he runs to alert the landlord, who waits for the payment of three months' rent arrears.
Musette is not alone, is at a party with his new rich lover, Maurizio. But in reading the letter from Marc decides to join right away, despite her husband will be very disappointed. But you know, Musetta loves Marcello only and is always ready to join him when he calls. If only she would remain with him rich, and others must accept it.
Along the way, though, it starts to snow and Musette decides to stay a while to warm up by her friend Sidonie, at the home of a party which is taking place. Meanwhile, the party
of the four bohemians go forward, while Marcello, anxious, continues to await the arrival of Musette and the other does not explain his strange nervousness. Someone actually arrives, but it is the landowner who wants his money. Marcello volerglieli pretends to give, in fact, intends to pay in advance the following three months. The show offers money and meanwhile drink, he does get drunk to the point where that becomes talkative, telling dirty jokes and confesses to having a mistress, Euphemia, who maintains and pays a furnished apartment. Even they show an impassioned letter written to him by the girl. Which is not surprised to discover that this Schaunard Eufemia is none other than his Femia!
Marcello finge scandalizzato e perciò si rifiuta di pagargli l'affitto. Poco dopo arriva la cameriera del padrone di casa, inviata dalla moglie a vedere che fine abbia fatto il marito, e lo trova totalmente ubriaco intento a fare discorsi insensati a delle bottiglie vuote. Mentre lei lo aiuta a tornare a casa (il pover'uomo non si regge in piedi) Marcello e gli altri le spiegano che è piombato in casa loro già sbronzo e che ha cominciato a cianciare dicendo di volergli consegnare la ricevuta di sei mesi d'affitto (la ricevuta in effetti era già stata preparata) anche quando Marcello gli aveva detto di non aver denaro.
L'indomani il padrone vorrà sicuramente i suoi soldi, ma ormai i quattro sanno tutto di Femia, e di sicuro a lui non farebbe piacere that his wife came to know that he has a lover ...
It is now night, tired, drunk and gorged themselves to sleep four. Marcello believes that Musette has not yet received the letter but will surely come the next day, and closes his eyes thinking of her. The girl meanwhile, is leaving the party together with Sidonie Serafino, a nice guy who still does not know the amatory arts ... but is about to learn them.
They spend five days and the money end of Marcellus. The four bohemians have to resign themselves to a miserable little fire and a humble meal of herring, potatoes and cheese. In one comes, finally, Musette and throws herself into the arms of Marcello. There was such a good fire before, and now it's cold: she came too late.
But there are five chairs, and, says Rudolph, is so bad that it is better to burn it. The fire revived and three friends move away to leave only the two lovers. Musette will have at least one more day to spend with her Marcello. Twenty-four hours after it is already gone, back to Mauritius in which he explains that his life is like a song: every lover is a verse, but it Marcello is the only constant refrain.
Chapter 20 - Mimi's feathers
After nearly two years of love Mimi and Rodolfo was again left with now is Viscount Paul. He lives in luxury, now, it's always very elegant and luxurious and precious garment. And so it is che la incontra Marcello, che le fa notare con pungente sarcasmo quant'è cambiata. Ma lei si giustifica: è stato Rodolfo a lasciarla sostenendo di non amarla più.
Lei ricorda bene l'ultima notte trascorsa insieme, con lui che appariva distrutto e non faceva che singhiozzare e mordere le lenzuola per impedirsi di gridare dal dolore, e lei che fingeva di dormire per resistere all'impulso di baciarlo e ricominciare tutto daccapo.
Rodolfo sta ancora soffrendo tanto? Mimì è ansiosa di saperlo.
No, in realtà sta benissimo. Marcello le spiega che già il giorno dopo la loro separazione Rodolfo appariva perfettamente calmo, e non era una calma ostentata ma reale. Era come se avendo pianto tutte le sue lacrime avesse ormai out of the love for Mimi, and now has completely forgotten.
Mimi is very upset by this news, but she believes that it is a deceptive calm.
few days later, Rudolph was already in love with another. A blonde known to a party at his house (the funeral of his heart, so he called her) two days after separation with Mimi.
also seems strange to him, but claims that they can no longer even remember the features or the voice of Mimi, he who has always had an iron memory. This is because he speaks with his friend the poet, the artists tend to idealize the woman he loved, and often those who like it really is not the real woman, but l'idea che si fanno di loro, le illusioni che proiettano su di lei. E quando la donna amata se ne va è sufficiente proiettare quelle chimere su un'altra: in fondo è la chimera che loro amano, non la donna.
Quando viene a sapere della nuova fiamma del poeta, Mimì finge indifferenza: che gliene importa? Tanto lei Rodolfo non l'ha mai amato!
Ma Marcello non è d'accordo: anche se non lo sa, qualche volta lei ha davvero amato Rodolfo.
Capitolo 21 – Romeo e Giulietta
Una sera di novembre vede un Rodolfo straordinariamente elegante che attende una carrozza tra i viali di Parigi. È talmente raffinato, pulito e bello che tutte le donne si voltano ad ammirarlo e perfino Colline stenta a riconoscerlo. Eppure quel figurino che pare uno dei modelli illustrati sulla Sciarpa d'Iride è proprio il suo amico poeta. La sorpresa del filosofo è tale che impiega parecchio tempo a notare i dettagli più strani dell'abbigliamento di Rodolfo. Infatti il giovane porta tra le mani una scala di corde e una gabbia in cui svolazza un piccione.
Questo è troppo, Colline arde dalla curiosità e perciò Rodolfo acconsente a dargli spiegazioni invitandolo al caffè.
Rodolfo non dà spiegazioni sull'eleganza né sulle tasche piene di denaro, spiega però i motivi della scala e del volatile. Ha scoperto che la sua nuova fiamma si chiama Giulietta e perciò ha deciso di giocare con lei a Romeo e Giulietta. La scala di corda gli servirà per arrampicarsi fino al suo balcone, e il piccione dovrà sostituire l'usignolo che svegliò i due sventurati amanti (purtroppo non ha trovato un vero usignolo, ma il rivenditore gli ha garantito che anche il piccione si sveglierà cantando di prima mattina).
Il fatto che questa Giulietta abiti a un piano ammezzato rovina un po' l'effetto dell'arrampicata (la scala appare assolutamente inutile: per raggiungere il balcone basta un salto), ma Rodolfo, anzi, Romeo, non si perde d'animo e va avanti con la sua pantomima.
Il mattino dopo alle cinque il piccione comincia a gracchiare sorprendendo i due amanti che sono a letto ma non stanno dormendo. Dannata bestiaccia, è regolata male. Doveva cantare non prima di mezzogiorno!
Juliet, however, raises the same, in spite of the pathetic scene in which the second program should surrender, because he is hungry. So is her Romeo. They look for food in the house but found only onions, bacon, butter and bread. And the bird continues to sing the most irritating and annoying than ever.
see Romeo Juliet, Romeo and Juliet look both look the pigeon, which crackles unaware of the fate that awaits him.
Shortly after the bird does not sing anymore, and Romeo and Juliet are intent on eating pigeon with bacon and browned onions. In their eyes there is a tear ... but it is only due to the onions!
Chapter 22 - Epilogue of love of Rodolfo and Mimi
The love between Rodolfo and Juliet is intended to be short lived. Soon she realizes that he still loves Mimi and she is just a diversion to forget. So he soon abandoned the poet Rodolfo and to pursue other falls into a melancholy state, as it is nostalgic of his beloved. The weather calms down a bit
'pain and one day Rodolfo is surprised to be able to write again, which could no longer do for a long time. Therefore composed a poem dedicated to his dead love for Mimi, and the poem is published in a magazine.
Mimi sees him and wants to buy the magazine, but the Vicomte Paul, jealous, refuses to buy it. She therefore decides to do with their money, goes to work for two days as a florist, bought the magazine, learn poetry by heart and recite it often takes, not a little irritating the viscount.
is December 24 and all Paris is preparing to celebrate Christmas Eve with dinner worthy of the name. All but Rodolfo and Marcello. The two friends now live together in an apartment and, as usual, are on the green. Marcello can borrow a bit 'of money by a gambler friend and the two can not get spotted in the glorious goose stuffed rotisserie, but at least bread, wine, a bit' of cured meats, tobacco, candles and firewood for the fireplace.
But when we got home none of them can touch food, are absorbed with sadness and memories of their former lovers. But Marcello are fed up. He's tired of the sadness and that life as a parasite that does not allow him to be independent but forces him to rely on luck and the mercy of people who often do not even respect it. Time to move, he says, to set the goals before reaching their thirties and realize that they have achieved anything in life. You can not live forever young carefree. And who says you can not make art (and do it well) even with a full belly, the feet warm and well-stocked wallet? Marcello
So he decides to immediately change his life, first becoming aware of the fact that Musette is really over. Burn all the memories that remain Rodolfo and encourages the girl to do the same with the memories of Mimi. But for every one of them saves, nostalgic, object: Marcello a bouquet of violets, now dry, which led to the belt and Musette Rodolfo cap hides the night of Mimi.
Just then someone knocks on the door is Mimi. But how changed! It is wasted, emaciated, it seems the spectrum itself. It has come to ask for shelter because he just got evicted and do not know where to go. But how, and the viscount? Oh, he has abandoned the first two months, jealous and angry because of the poem by Rodolfo, but she does not care: he had never loved the viscount. Since then Mimi has had more lovers, è sempre vissuta da sola lavorando come fioraia e modella per pittori (ma non posa nuda, è modella solo per la testa e per le mani). Ma le cose vanno male, i soldi scarseggiano e lei è allo stremo, tanto che fatica anche a reggersi in piedi.
Marcello e Rodolfo decidono di dividere con lei la cena e la ospitano in casa cedendole la stanza di Rodolfo, che invece dormirà con Marcello.
Il poeta è parecchio turbato dallo stato della ragazza, e decide di non raggiungerla in camera per rappacificarsi con lei, come gli suggerisce di fare l'amico.
Il mattino dopo però Rodolfo non è più nel suo letto e Marcello capisce che nottetempo ha raggiunto Mimì. Ma le cose non stanno come pensa lui all'inizio. È stata una notte assai triste per Rodolfo e Mimì, che non hanno fatto che piangere e ricordare i bei tempi felici ma ormai passati per sempre. Rodolfo ha dormito seduto su una sedia con la testa sul cuscino di Mimì, e la ragazza probabilmente non ha dormito affatto.
Perché Mimì è malata, ed è molto grave. La vita di stenti degli ultimi due mesi hanno minato la sua salute; la fame, il freddo e un tentato suicidio mediante veleno l'hanno devastata. Sa che le resta poco da vivere, e il dottore chiamato al suo capezzale (amico di Rodolfo, lo stesso che aveva curato Francine) conferma l'infausta diagnosi. Mimì ha poche speranze di cavarsela, e le ha solo venendo ricoverata in sanatorio. Per aiutarla raggranellando un po' di denaro Schaunard sells its warm clothing and some of his books Hills (would have preferred to sell rather than a leg or an arm, too bad that nobody wanted those items!), the girl spends one last evening of "party" in the house of Rodolfo and Marcello together with His friends try to be cheerful. What is more sad to lose Rudolph now that she realized that she loves him really, and regrets not being able to grasp the happiness with him when he had at hand.
The next day was admitted to the sanatorium, then understand that from there he shall go no hands and her despair is heartbreaking. I have
day visit on Sunday and Thursday, and Rodolfo va a trovarla quando può. Un giorno però riceve un telegramma dal suo amico medico: Mimì è morta. Rodolfo prova una vaga malinconia ma, con sua grande sorpresa, non è devastato dal dolore come si aspetterebbe. Allora è vero, il suo amore per Mimì è davvero esaurito!
Otto giorni dopo, però, incontra in strada l'amico medico che gli dice che c'è stato un errore. Lui era stato assente dall'ospedale per qualche giorno e intanto Mimì era stata spostata in un altro reparto. Insomma, la morta era un'altra e Mimì è ancora viva. Perciò al seguente giorno di visita Rodolfo si precipita in ospedale, ma gli viene incontro l'amico medico: faccia conto che il telegramma era vero, perché Mimì actually died a few hours before. And since no one claimed the body was taken away to be buried in a mass grave. Rudolph can no longer even say goodbye.
Chapter 23 - The youth has not once
A year has passed since that fateful Christmas and everything has changed between the four friends of the Cenacle of La Bohème. Marcello has finally managed to accept two of his paintings in the Louvre and is emerging as a painter, for which he paid the debts and now has a home and regular income. The literary works of Rudolph are gaining a reputation as well as its economic conditions have flourished, Schaunard has composed hit songs and is now an acclaimed composer and Hills has received a rich heritage and has contracted an advantageous marriage, so for him things are put right. Well, now all four are "fixed" and the economic problems and the dissolute life are a thing of the past. One day
Marcello is in the house of Rodolfo to tell him a new sensation: the day before revised Musette. The girl is about to marry, with the director of a post office.
But before you get married has decided to spend one last week from Bohemia, and among the things he wanted to do was to stay for the last time with Marcello.
The two had spent together the night before, but to their surprise they realized that there was no passion or attraction: in short, their love is truly over, and this time forever. Rodolfo and Marcello
go together to the restaurant, they no longer have problems similar to afford luxuries. The youth is over for them, but now at least, life is more comfortable.
END
