MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN LITERATURE

Module (characterizing) aimed at providing the tools for the analysis of writers and issues related to twentieth century Italian novel. The course aims to provide an overview of the evolution of the novel during the twentieth century, deepening the analysis of four texts in particular, with the aim of outlining a fluid periodization of the narrative genre and at the same time providing a concrete possibility of reading and direct analysis. The course focuses on the fundamental criteria of journalistic writing and its relations to literature, with particular reference to writers who collaborate with newspapers. The journalistic activity of writers and novelists has often been concerned with the theme of travel, resulting in the reportage genre.

The expected results of learning refer to the knowledge of the literary panorama related to the novel and its evolution during the twentieth century, extended to its special and further declination in the travel reportage, aiming to provide, in addition to the specific acquisition of the notions related to the literary texts and their belonging to specific cultural trends, also a concrete method of approach and in-depth analysis of the narrative literary text, identifying the primary elements that allow an effective critical interpretation.

Knowledge of the general framework of the history of Italian literature (placed in the European context) from the second half of the nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth century. The prerequisites shown here are largely referable to the knowledge acquired in the path of high school.

Paths of Italian twentieth century narrative, with an analysis of the periodization of the novel and with the in-depth reading of four novels, examples of different literary perspectives. Analysis of the phenomenon of the Terza Pagina, which at the beginning of the twentieth century represents the meeting point between literature and journalism, and reading and analysis of a travel reportage (Gina Lagorio, “Russia oltre l'Urss”, Roma, Editori Riuniti, 1989), as a further path of the twentieth century narrative writing.

Mandatory texts:
- Italo Svevo, “La coscienza di Zeno”; edition recommended Feltrinelli, 2014 (with an essay by Franco Marcoaldi and edited by Cristina Benussi); it is recommended reading the essay “Il pendolo dell'ironico” by Franco Marcoaldi;
- Luigi Pirandello, “Uno, nessuno e centomila”; edition recommended Mondadori, 2011 (edited by Marziano Guglielminetti); it is recommended reading the essay by Marziano Guglielminetti;
- Guido Piovene, “Le stelle fredde”, Mondadori, 1970; (edition recommended with the essay by Andrea Zanzotto); it is recommended reading the essay by Andrea Zanzotto;
- Paolo Maurensig, “La variante di Lüneburg”; any edition; it is recommended reading the essay “Nuclei tematici, sfumature e piani narrativi nella scrittura di Paolo Maurensig” by Alberto Zava, in “Cronache dal cielo stretto. Scrivere il Nordest”, Udine, Forum, 2013.
Gaia De Pascale, "Scrittori in viaggio. Narratori e poeti italiani del Novecento in giro per il mondo", Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2001 (Introduction, chapter 1 Stati Uniti d’America, chapter 5 Unione Sovietica, Conclusion)
Gina Lagorio, “Russia oltre l'Urss”, Roma, Editori Riuniti, 1989.

Integrative reading:
Enrico Falqui, "Giornalismo e letteratura", Milano, Mursia, 1969

It is recommended a good literature handbook (mandatory for non-attending students):
- EZIO RAIMONDI, “Leggere, come io l'intendo...”, voll. 5-6, Edizioni Scolastiche Bruno Mondadori;
- SEGRE, MARTIGNONI, "Leggere il mondo. Letteratura, testi, culture", Milano, Bruno Mondadori;
- FERRONI, "Storia e testi della letteratura italiana", Mondadori Università;
- GUGLIELMINO, GROSSER, "Il sistema letterario", Milano, Principato;
- BALDI, GIUSSO, RAZETTI, ZACCARIA, "Dal testo alla storia. Dalla storia al testo", Torino, Paravia;
- GIBELLINI, OLIVA, TESIO, "Il valore letterario", Brescia, La Scuola;
- SANTAGATA, CAROTTI, CASADEI, TAVONI, "Il filo rosso. Antologia e storia della letteratura italiana ed europea", Bari, Laterza

The exam will consist of some questions which will stimulate an active conversation about the topics covered in class and included in the program. The questions will aim in particular to verify the mastery of content.

Lectures in order to provide the historical-literary and coordinates of the novel in the twentieth century and analysis of the five texts scheduled (the four novels and the travel reportage).
The MOODLE platform is also used to support teaching, in which additional materials are inserted (specific in-depth materials linked to topics covered in class) and in which it is possible to interact: an online reference point for communications (relating, for example, to the methods of examination) and notices.

Italian

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