Doctor and the Healer

A young, principled doctor who relocates to the rural village to practice medicine and confront Don Antonio’s fraudulent cures. He is earnest and rational, yet must navigate a community driven by superstition and personal loyalties. His commitment to science and patient care drives the plot as he faces threats to his reputation and safety.

A local quack who profits from dubious cures and fortune-telling. He sees Marchetti as a threat to his livelihood and uses manipulation to keep the villagers loyal. His schemes include staging illnesses and exploiting the town’s trust until circumstances push him toward flight.

The mayor's sister who is deeply in love with her fiancé Corrado. She is duped by Don Antonio's assurances of Corrado's fate and finances his trials with payments. Her revelation of the truth leads to a public denouncement of the fraud, illustrating the dangers of misplaced trust.

Mafalda's fiancé, presumed dead after the Russian front, who returns confused and financially demanding. He confesses he has been living nearby in an unhappy marriage, showing selfish motives and ambiguity about his past. His reappearance strains Mafalda’s ideals and finances.

Dr. Marchetti's young assistant who falls for him. She becomes entangled in Don Antonio’s schemes when a love potion is given to her, but it only causes trouble for Marchetti. Her feelings illuminate the personal costs of the town’s deception and the doctor’s isolation.

Don Antonio's scheming assistant who facilitates deceit, including the love potion plot. He represents the practical enabler behind the fraudulent enterprise, aiding the manipulation of others for personal gain.

Don Antonio's niece who is in love with a poor soldier. When forbidden, she becomes desperate and attempts to seek help, eventually taking an overdose that forces Don Antonio to call for medical aid. Her plight underscores the personal consequences of controlling power.

A town official who embodies local authority and order. His interactions with Mafalda and Don Antonio reflect the friction between traditional governance and fraudulent influence in the village.

The local police figure who confronts Don Antonio’s schemes but faces limited success in pressing charges. His role highlights the tension between rumor-driven justice and formal law in a tightly-knit community.