Who is Polia from Roman Blood and what is their importance? Roma_Sub_Rosa English & Literature Polia | Roman Blood

Polia is a young widow, who lives in a tenement building with her son. We learn very little about Polia's past and are never apprised as to how she came to be living in poverty in Rome. It is obvious that she was once a very attractive woman, but the stress of poverty and caring for her son have aged her prematurely. Over the course of the novel, Polia abandons her son and disappears