Elsa Morante's 'The Island of Arturo': Exploring Growth Through Symbolism

 

Elsa Morante's 'The Island of Arturo': Exploring Growth Through Symbolism

Alessandra Cipolloni

9 May 2024

Often hailed as a literary enigma, Elsa Morante (1912-1985) carved a distinct path within the Italian literary landscape. Her captivating narratives, imbued with a blend of lyricism and psychological depth, transcended the boundaries of conventional genres. Morante’s work delved into the complexities of human emotions, particularly the transformative power of storytelling and the yearning for connection in a world fraught with isolation. 

 

Ulysses’ Shipwreck in "The Divine Comedy"

Alessandra CIPOLLONI

5 September 2023

Dante Alighieri was born in Florence in 1265 and died in Ravenna, northern Italy, in 1321. He is a key author in Italian literature and gives a fundamental contribution to Italian culture and consciousness, as well as to Italian language. He wrote The Divine Comedy, which he simply called The Comedy (Inf. XVI, 128, XXI 2.), over a span of years going from 1304/7 to 1321, abandoning all his other literary projects (Bellomo, 2012) while in exile. The experience of exile is fundamental to understand Ulysses’ portrayal.

Oedipus and the Concept of Blindness

Alessandra CIPOLLONI

5 September 2023

 

Blindness in literature is a recurring theme that holds significant symbolism and depth. Throughout various literary works, both ancient and modern, blindness is used as a powerful metaphor to explore the complexities of human existence, knowledge, and perception. In many literary classics, blindness is not only a physical condition but also represents a state of ignorance, arrogance or lack of understanding. Characters who are physically blind may possess profound insight into the human condition or possess a deeper understanding of truth and reality. On the other hand, characters with imperfect vision may remain blind to the deeper truths that surround them. In other words, blindness serves as a metaphor for the limitations of human perception and the complexities of human nature. Characters may be "blinded" by their own emotions, biases or desires, preventing them from seeing the world as it truly is. This theme often prompts readers to reflect on their own perceptions and the biases that may influence their understanding of the world.