Rocco and His Brothers

The third Parondi brother who remains the moral center of the family. He sacrifices his own happiness to protect and support his siblings and mother, often taking on burdens to keep the family together. His purity of heart guides difficult decisions, including a long boxing contract to pay off others' debts.

Vincenzo's fiancée who becomes a focal point of the family's initial push to Milan. Her pregnancy leads to marriage, while her family faction fights against welcoming the Parondi in their home. She embodies the tensions between traditional expectations and new urban realities.

A prostitute who exposes the complexities of love and survival in a harsh city. She has relationships with Simone and later with Rocco, seeking love and a better life, but her past and circumstances lead to tragedy. Her arc highlights the vulnerability and resilience of characters on the margins.

The second brother who chases quick success through boxing and is drawn into a destructive cycle. His inability to cope with urban life leads to alcoholism and violence, culminating in a fatal act that devastates the family.

The practical middle brother who attends night school and works at the Alfa Romeo factory. He strives to help the family and secure a stable future, balancing ambition with responsibility.

The youngest brother who observes the unfolding events with a sense of longing for home. He hints at a future shaped by the changes sweeping through the country and his family.

The mother whose fierce love sustains the family amidst hardship. Her sacrifices and enduring concern for her sons anchor the drama and drive many of the family’s choices.

The eldest brother who marries Ginetta after the family moves north. His marriage and limited contact with his mother and younger brothers illustrate the strains of traditional duty within a rapidly changing urban landscape.