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Life is Beautiful Study Guide

by Roberto Benigni

Life is Beautiful study guide contains a biography of Roberto Benigni, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Life is Beautiful opens on a note of hilarity as the protagonist, Guido, and his best friend, Ferruccio, rocket down a country slope, the brakes on their rickety old car having given way. They pass through a parade, and the audience is immediately aware of where we are: the bystanders, believing Guido to be a Fascist leader, all raise their arms in the "Heil Hitler" sign. While Ferruccio attempts to fix the car, Guido happens upon a little farm, where the woman who is to become the love of his life literally falls from the sky into his arms. "Good morning, princess!" he cries, grinning widely.

Guido and Ferruccio find lodgings with Guido's uncle, Eliseo, who recently has come under attack by Fascists. Eliseo also helps Guido to get a job as…

Read the full Life is Beautiful Summary

• Life is Beautiful Summary
• About Life is Beautiful
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Part I
• Summary and Analysis of Part II
• Summary and Analysis of Part III
• Summary and Analysis of Part IV
• Summary and Analysis of Part V
• Summary and Analysis of Part VI
• Summary and Analysis of Part VII
• The Great Dictator: Benigni, Chaplin, and the Holocaust
• Related Links on Life is Beautiful
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• Life is Beautiful: Major Themes
• Life is Beautiful: Questions
• Life is Beautiful: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Roberto Benigni: Biography