Character Clues

Character Analysis

Actions

The first two things we hear about the townspeople in Strega Nona's village is that (a) they all talk about her in whispers, and (b) they all go visit her when they have problems. Those two actions—the whispers and the visits—tell us a lot about the townspeople. And about Strega Nona.

It's tempting to say that the townspeople are hypocrites and leave it at that, but that would be an oversimplification. It's more accurate to say that the villagers' gossip about Strega Nona indicates that they recognize she's different, potentially even some kind of a witch, but that they're too scared to talk about it openly. And their visits? The fact that they go to see her despite the fact that they all think she's a witch shows us that they don't really fear her. In fact, they actually have a lot of respect for her abilities.

So, are the townspeople hypocrites? Maybe.

Cowards? Possibly.

Fond of Strega Nona regardless of who or what they think she is? Definitely.

Their actions tell us a lot—about them, and about the position Strega Nona holds in the community. And Big Anthony's actions tell us a lot about him, too.

Big Anthony takes on his chores with vigor, so we know he's a good worker. Of course, he also runs into town immediately to tell everyone about the magic pasta pot, snatches the pot and puts it to work at his first opportunity, and invites the entire village over for dinner to impress them. These actions tell us that Big Anthony is rather impulsive and eager to be viewed as important in his community.

Of course, his actions backfire and the community ends up viewing him in a less favorable way than he had hoped for. Strega Nona, however, demonstrates why she is held in such high esteem in the village when she steps in, rescues the town, and pronounces a just and fitting punishment for Big Anthony. These characters are all action! (And their actions are all character.)

Clothing

When was the last time you saw a witch in a headscarf and apron? Probably not last Halloween. But Strega Nona isn't your average witch—she's a grandma witch, and her clothing communicates that. From her first appearance on the cover, the way she's dressed implies that even though she has "a magic touch" (7), she remains a typical older woman in an Italian village in the Middle Ages. She performs domestic chores, she is of modest means, and despite her nickname, she doesn't fly around on a broom or put hexes on people.

Likewise, the other characters in the book are identified through their clothing. The nuns and the priest are the most obvious examples, since their clothes tie them to their religious roles. But there are also some villagers who sport fancy dresses and hats with feathers, while others wear more simple attire.

Big Anthony wears a hat that indicates he is a peasant as well as wooden clogs, work pants, and a smock (11). The mayor, who is clearly very important, wears a blue robe with fur and gathered sleeves, nice shoes, and a hat with multiple plumes (26).

Of course, it's Strega Nona—in her headscarf, drab skirt, and apron—who holds the highest station in the village. So even though clothes help us to categorize the characters and guess at their socioeconomic status, they don't necessarily indicate who's in charge.

Physical Appearances

Since this is a picture book, we get to see what everyone looks like, how they stand, and what kind of facial expressions they have from one scene to the next. And these physical appearances tell us a lot.

On the cover, Strega Nona is dressed simply and she's pictured smiling beatifically at her peacock while she clutches her magic pasta pot. She is the picture of domesticity, and even though we're about to hear that she's a witch, we already know—from her physical appearance—that she is kind and non-threatening. This is emphasized again and again throughout the book, not only by Strega Nona's short stature (9), but by the calm smile that continually graces her face (8, 10, 32, 36) and the gentle way in which she blows three kisses each time she stops the pasta pot.

Big Anthony's postures and facial expressions help to communicate his character, too. From the facial expression that shows his wonderment at Strega Nona's magic (12) to the one that communicates his anger and frustration at being ridiculed (14), Big Anthony's moods are an open book—right down to the remorse and fatigue he feels while he's eating up all of that magic pasta 35).

And the way both Strega Nona and Big Anthony appear in the last panel? We're pretty sure he's learned his lesson, and she's happy to have helped (36).