"(...) The free art can do whatever, except winning death. By the hands of tuberculosis, Rodolfo knows the true 'spirit of art': knowing that we are limited to the condition that the matter itself (the body and not the money) imposes. Of course, if he was rich, it could comfort the suffering of his beloved Mimì, but as he being a miserable, she will suffer even more and will die young." (Pondé)