I think that Pesca is a really interesting character, who I would like to explore more. Pesca is a fun character to read about, but I find what he symbolizes irritating. Collins is using Pesca to be the embodiment of English elitism. He is constantly trying to be “more English”. This idea that foreigners want to be more like the English is a Victorian ideal that reinforces imperialism. Pesca wanted to try everything there was to be as close to an Englishman as possible: “The ruling idea of his life appeared to be, that he was bound to show his gratitude to the country which had afforded him an asylum and a means of subsistence, by doing his utmost to turn himself into an Englishamn” (Collins 11). He goes so far as to try to swim even though he does not know how. Walt is then put in the positon to save him. This image of an Englishman saving a foreigner was all too common an excuse for imperialism during the time. Of course the foreigner is ever grateful to the merciful Englishman for saving his life.
Looking at the chain of events more closely, however, it should be noted that had Pesca not been trying to be English he would not have been drowning in the first place. In trying to be English, Pesca placed himself in harm’s way. Had Pesca been participating in activities that he was familiar with he would not have needed help. The Englishman only becomes the “savior” after, he has impressed the very thing that is putting people in danger.
Pesca is amusing to read, but he is a complete caricature. I think that he is portrayed in a very degrading way. I do not think Pesca is doing anything wrong, it is more the way people talk to him that is degrading. Ms. Hartright talks down to him and never takes him seriously, while Sarah is out right cold to him. Both forms of treatment are due to Pesca not being English. His poor treatment bothers me because Pesca is such a pleasant character so it is annoying to read about people treating him poorly.
I wonder if his character serves as an effective introduction to Count Fusco, the other prominent foreign Anglophile of the novel. Pesca’s attempts to assimilate, such as using idioms whenever he has the chance, come across as either a parody of British customs or (as you suggest, Stephanie) an earnest buffoon whose stereotypical mannerisms make him just comic relief. Count Fusco, on the other hand, even draws Marion’s undivided admiration. In spite of being on the heavy side and having his fair share of eccentricities, he is treated a lot more seriously by the other characters. It helps that he has almost completely eradicated his Italian accent, as Marion mentions.
I enjoyed reading about your link between Pesca’s embodiment of English elitism and the imperialism of the time. I’m finding myself hooked on the word “asylum” from the quote you pulled, as asylums seem to be a common theme in the book. In Pesca’s case, he seems to be eager to fit in as an Englishman so he can uphold the standards and mannerisms of the country that “saved” him, even if it will result in his drowning as you mentioned. In Anne’s case, asylum takes on an entirely new definition. She abhors the mental institution she came from and reacts negatively whenever the asylum, the woman who put her there (her mother), or the man who paid for her to be there (Sir Percival) is mentioned. I’m wondering if there is a link that Collins wants us to make between the two definitions of the word asylum. Since Anne resists her asylum so vehemently, is this meant to illuminate the struggles often forgotten with the other definition of asylum? Maybe this connection, paired with Pesca’s almost humorous devotion to being English, can show us very clearly that though taking asylum in another land may be helpful, it comes with travesties, such as placing yourself in a new country and learning how to balance your origins with your new nationality.
Another aspect of his character that reflects the stereotypical image of colonized people is that he is highly emotional. For example, Walter notes that “the least encouragement in connexion with this subject invariably let loose the Professor’s emotions in a flood of tears” (15). In colonial narratives, there is usually an established dichotomy between emotion and logic, with the colonizers representing the rational thinkers who bring the knowledge of civilization and the colonized shown as irrational people ruled by instinct and emotion. While this is probably more extreme than the relationship between England and Italy, I think that contrast does correlate with Walter and Pesca, and reinforces your ideas about the English savior, merciful towards less enlightened men. It also ties into the gendered implications of colonialism– Walter takes on the “male role” both as a savior and as the less emotional one of the two.