Broken April

Chapter 3 shifts perspectives to two new characters, Bessian and Diana Vorpsi, newlyweds from the city of Tirana. They’ve come to the High Plateau for their honeymoon. Bessian’s work as a writer focuses on the High Plateau, although he isn’t from there. He showboats his knowledge incessantly and hopes the High Plateau will leave an impression on his wife. To his chagrin, the beginning of the trip is marred by a dull landscape and little activity. Diana reassures him their honeymoon will be fulfilling. Later, they spot a church, then stone houses and villagers. Some locals wear black ribbons on their arms, signifying they have killed or seek to avenge a killing. Seeing this, Bessian states: “We are entering the shadow-land […] the place where the laws of death prevail over the laws of life” (68). Bessian dominates the conversation, pontificating about the rural mountaineers and their customs. Diana feels her opinion brushed aside and argues with her husband, and their conversation becomes more collaborative and cordial after she speaks up. They discuss the various customs the people of the High Plateau hold, from weddings to the blood feuds. Slowly, Bessian dominates the conversation again.