It makes total sense that The Leopard's Prince Fabrizio would feel dissatisfied. His social class is collapsing and he's worried he won't have any legacy to leave behind when he dies. Plus he's lived a life of total idleness and boredom. He's in a pretty tough spot because on the one hand, he sees his way of life coming to and end, and on the other, he doesn't really have any enthusiasm for defending it. That's the kind of malaise that money can't buy… or maybe that's exactly the kind of malaise that tons of money can buy. It has to be cultivated over hundreds of years of sitting around without any responsibilities other than attending parties and shaking a few hands.
Questions About Dissatisfaction
- When does Fabrizio tend to feel the most dissatisfied? How would you describe his dissatisfaction? Where does it come from?
- Is Fabrizio bored, or is there a deeper philosophical level to his dissatisfaction? Is there anyone he can go to for help?
- When does Fabrizio think his dissatisfaction will finally come to an end? Why?
- Is there anything in particular that's making Fabrizio dissatisfied, or is he just fed up with the whole world?
Chew on This
In The Leopard, we learn that one major effect of never worrying about money is total boredom.
In The Leopard, Lampedusa shows us that dissatisfaction is something you can overcome if you just suck it up.