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When he learnt that it was a form of rheumatism that made him unfit for further service his heart exulted, for he could go home; and he did not bother, in fact he scarcely listened, when the doctors told him that he would never again be quite well.

After stoically bearing an illness in a foreign hospital for months, Salvatore learns that he will get to return home to Capri. He dislikes his military service mostly because it's taken him away from everything he loves, namely his homeland, his family, and his first love. He so misses his home that he barely considers the negative aspects of his situation. Not listening to the doctors' full diagnosis demonstrates Salvatore's sharp focus on the positive as well as his naiveté. True to his good nature, Salvatore never blames his mandated military service for the huge toll it took on his life.

“She's as ugly as the devil!”

Salvatore exclaims these words when his mother informs him that Assunta wishes to marry him, and notably this outburst serves as the only line of direct dialogue, or quoted spoken words, in the story. The fact that Salvatore goes to see Assunta after saying these words implies the declaration is based more on hearsay and general public opinion than his own consideration. Given the religious motifs that run through the entire story, "ugly as the devil" has multiple layers of meaning, from Assunta's physical appearance to her ability to complement his good nature.

The foreigners who came down to bathe and saw him there said that these Italian fishermen were lazy devils.

The narrator explains how the tourists, who know nothing of Salvatore's life, make assumptions based on his appearance. Salvatore works hard to support his family, toiling through the morning straight through until dusk. His rheumatism stops him from working some days. True to his nature of finding the good in situations, he spends those days on the beach relaxing and having friendly conversation. While readers know Salvatore works hard, people who judge him based solely on his appearance make grossly incorrect assumptions of not only Salvatore, but of all "these Italian fishermen." Applying the word devil to Salvatore demonstrates just how wrong assumptions can be, as his defining character trait is goodness.

I wanted to see whether I could hold your attention for a few pages while I drew for you the portrait of a man, just an ordinary fisherman who possessed nothing in the world except a quality which is the rarest, the most precious and the loveliest that anyone can have.

In the final paragraph of "Salvatore," the narrator explains that the point of the story was to explore whether a tale about an ordinary person who was extraordinarily good could be interesting. Many stories are based on exaggerated heroes, conflict, and suspense, and while those tales may be entertaining, readers can also find joy in a simple story about an everyday person who did not achieve his dreams but did appreciate and love the life he had. With so many people reaching for success, the person who can find happiness in what they have is rare.

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