Essay Questions

How does the author build the themes of greediness and betrayal?

The two main themes are greediness and betrayal. Patrizia’s evil actions to manipulate Rodolfo’s will in favor of her husband symbolize greediness. Patrizia ensured that Maurizio’s relatives got nothing from Rodolfo’s will. On the other hand, Maurizio kicked his wife Patrizia out of marriage after acquiring everything forgetting that she is the one behind his success. Therefore, Maurizio betrayed his wife when he tried to divorce her.

Why did Patrizia decide to kill her husband, Maurizio?

Patrizia is the architect behind Maurizio’s 50% ownership of the Gucci Fashion Company. After the death of Rodolfo, she manipulated his will and rewarded her husband with 50% share. Later, Patrizia tactically came up with strategies of enabling her husband to take the full control of the company from his relatives. However, after Maurizio took over the company, he betrayed Patrizia and tried to divorce her. Patrizia got annoyed and sent hit men who killed Maurizio. Patrizia was caught, charged and imprisoned.

What does the narrator mean why saying, “Aldo and Rodolfo became the sole controlling shareholders of the Gucci Empire, with 50 percent each—a shareholding ratio that would profoundly condition Gucci’s future?”

The narrator’s statement is uncompromising because it signifies the possible collapse of the once vibrant fashion brand globally. The supremacy wars in the top management of the company between Maurizio and his brother Aldo foreshadowed Investcorp’s full control of the company in later years. Maurizio managed to manipulate everything and took control of the company in early years but he made poor decisions that led to poor performance. Later, Maurizio invited foreign investors who bought him out and took fully ownership of the company. Unfortunately, all the Gucci family members lost ownership of the company to foreigners.