Dr Iannis tells his daughter, " Technically the captain is an enemy," Explore de bernieres presentation of war- time relationships between Pelagia and Corelli in the light of this statement.
Dr Iannis tells his daughter, “ Technically the captain is an enemy,” Explore de bernieres presentation of war- time relationships between Pelagia and Corelli in the light of this statement.
“ Technically the captain is an enemy,” is a statement, which can be interpreted in different ways. To refer to the captain as an enemy of Pelagia is impractical, moreover not valid. This examination will argue against, “ the captain being an enemy.” In order to apprehend why Dr Iannis refers to the captain as an enemy, historical context has to be taken into account. However to establish that the captain is not a direct enemy of Pelagia in a more wider sense, the relationship between the two have to be considered. War is a factor that affects the romance between Pelagia and Corelli. Pelagia and Corelli in theory have what is called a war- time relationship, which is influenced by many different factors, taking into consideration that each is from a different, opposing country. In order to denounce Corelli as the enemy of Pelagia, their relationship must be examined in order to articulate how and why asserting the captain as the enemy is unrealistic.
In order for a 21st century reader to apprehend war- time relationships, historical context has to be considered. During the Second World War, it was common for relationships to have to undergo extreme pressure. War was a factor that inhibited any possible romance between any two individuals, as the unknown was always expected. Men constantly had to go away for periods of years in order to fight for their country often in locations far away from their place of origin. Soldiers often found romance in locations they had been posted to. However, this was dangerous as wartime often created suspected conspiracies between two countries. This is particular relevant in, “ Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,” as Pelagia is an inhabitant of Cephallonia and Greek. Captain Corelli is an Italian and an invader to her island. During the Second World War, Italy sided with Germany in a fascist war against other capitalist countries such as the United States of America, France and Britain. Italy invaded Greece on the 30th of April 1941. To be with a woman or man of another country, especially an invading one from an opposing side would be a let down to ones country. Often one would be denounced as a spy or a collaborator and a traitor to their country, if they were to reside with an individual of an invading country. Evidence of this can be seen from Dr Iannis’s advice to Pelagia in chapter 47. Dr Iannis refers to the captain as a technical enemy. Dr Iannis enforces the idea to Pelagia that if she were to marry the captain or even have any open relationship with him, she would receive, “ Torment that would be inflicted upon you by others when they judge that they have renounced the love of a patriotic Greek, in favour or an oppressor? You will be called a collaborator, a Fascist whore.. People will throw stones at you and spit.” From this quote it can be inferred that Pelagia must endure severe pressure from the patriots of her own country if she were to choose Corelli over Mandras. To marry an Italian would immediately result in her being referred to a collaborator or a traitor. The only solution as foretold by Dr Iannis would be, “ to move away to Italy if you wanted to stay with him, because here you might not be safe.” This is why Dr Iannis refers to the captain as a technical enemy. However, it is evident from the novel that the relationship of Pelagia and Corelli runs deeper. In this way Corelli is not the enemy. Interaction between Pelagia and Corelli must be examined in order to verify that Corelli’s intentions are not those of an enemy, but of someone who’s heart and attention is devoted entirely to another.
