Quoted Mentions of Italy from Romance of a Shop:
1. “My dear Gerty,- This is to tell you that I am not coming home to-night- am not coming home again at all, in fact. I am going to marry Mr. Darrell, who will take me to Italy, where the weather is decent, and where I shall get well. For you know, I am horribly seedy, Gerty, and very dull” (Ch XVIII).
A. Context for Quote 1: Italy is introduced in this story as this sort of foreign place associated with "escape." For Phyllis, it will be the escape from her harsh reality of physical ailments in addition to providing her with love and security in a relationship. Phyllis writes this letter to Gertude with this tone of excitement and wonder as she is about to embark to this new destination to marry her love Darrell and additionally be healed from her illness. Italy is written as this unknown mystery that will be a land with no problems or issues. However, as the reader will soon discover, Italy's description changes in the novel from this place of fantasy into one of reality as it marks the beginning of these idyllic dreams being broken down.
2. "We were going to cross on our way to Italy that very night," Phyllis said. "We drove to Charring Cross, and then the snow began to fall, and I had such a fit of coughing that Sidney was frightened, and took me home to St. John's Wood." (Ch. XX).
A. Context for Quote 2: Italy represents a sort of destination left unfinished or unreached by Phyllis and Darrell. In the very first paragraph of this chapter, the quote, "a severe bronchial attack had set in since the night of the snowstorm, and her life might be said to hang by a thread" marks Italy as the sort of beginning of this doom for Phyllis's health and her relationships with both Darrell and Gertrude. It is said that after the snowstorm this physical attack began which marked the beginning of a severe decline for Phyllis. However, in this decline, is where Gertrude feels compelled to tell Phyllis about her own relationship with Darrell, and why his leaving was more based on his feelings for her instead of about Phyllis.
Historical Information:
Italy has only been a country since 1861; therefore, it makes sense that the characters would view it through this lens of mystery, uniqueness, and possbility. Since they most likely know very little about it, it is understandable that Italy, in the eyes of Phyllis, is a place where her greatest dreams and fantasies can come true.
Image:
Life in Italy During the 19th Century