Le notti di Cabiria
"The story of a betrayed but unquenchable little Roman street-walker."
Nights of Cabiria - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Guess there's some justice in the world. You suffer, you go through hell. Then happiness comes along for everyone.
— Maria 'Cabiria' Ceccarelli
Context:
Cabiria says this to Oscar during one of their meetings, explaining her optimistic outlook on life. She is fully invested in the belief that he is her reward for a life of hardship, making his eventual betrayal all the more devastating.
Meaning:
This quote perfectly encapsulates Cabiria's unwavering, almost theological belief in hope and cosmic fairness. It's the philosophy that allows her to endure constant suffering, a mantra she tells Oscar, believing he is the 'happiness' that has finally arrived after her hellish experiences. Its tragic irony is revealed when he becomes her worst hell.
Madonna, Madonna, help me to change my life. Bestow your grace on me too. Make me change my life.
— Maria 'Cabiria' Ceccarelli
Context:
Cabiria and her friends make a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Divine Love. Amidst a crowd of fervent believers, she passionately offers this prayer, hoping for a miracle that will alter the course of her life.
Meaning:
This is Cabiria's desperate plea for divine intervention. It reveals the depth of her desire to escape her circumstances and her faith that an external, higher power can grant her the salvation she cannot achieve on her own. The prayer highlights her vulnerability and her earnest wish for a moral and spiritual transformation.
He loves me! Wanda! He loves me!
— Maria 'Cabiria' Ceccarelli
Context:
After Oscar proposes, Cabiria rushes to tell her friend Wanda the news. She yells this through a fence, radiating a joy so intense it is almost painful to watch, given the audience's suspicion of Oscar's motives.
Meaning:
This triumphant, ecstatic cry represents the peak of Cabiria's joy and the culmination of all her hopes. For a moment, she believes she has finally achieved the love and acceptance she has craved her entire life. The quote's power lies in its unrestrained, pure happiness, which the audience knows is tragically misplaced.