Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
Italian language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Title : The modernist novel and its contemporary re-readings: 'Il Fu Mattia Pascal' and 'La coscienza di Zeno'.
After examining the question of modernism in Italian literature and its profound links with European modernism, we will look at the place occupied by two novels, Il fu Mattia Pascal (1904) by L. Pirandello and La coscienza di Zeno by I. Svevo (1923).
We will look at the story, the characters, time, space, narrative models and the main themes, before moving on to structure and style. Finally, we will consider whether they can be included in the genre of the formative novel.
Part of the course will be devoted to the contemporary reception of two novels. In particular, we will look at the rewriting of Pirandello's novel as a comic strip by a master of Italian comics such as T. Sclavi, in the Gothic series Dylan Dog 67, L'uomo che visse due volte (1992). We will also look at F. Comencini's adaptation of Svevo's novel for the cinema, Le parole di mio padre (2001), in which F. Rongione, the Dardenne brothers' favourite actor, plays the protagonist.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this course, students will be able to contextualise Pirandello's and Svevo's work within Italian and wider European modernism, and to produce an appropriate commentary on the novel and its adaptations, presenting the results of their study orally in a correct manner. They will be able to make independent judgements, interpreting information critically by analysing and synthesising data and knowledge from different sources.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
A good knowledge of the Italian language.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Ex-cathedra course, in Italian. Participation in the course will be required and requested. Students are expected to read and prepare in advance the material that will be covered in the course.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
L. Pirandello, Il fu Mattia Pascal (1904) (édition conseillée : a cura di G. Mazzacurati, Torino, Einaudi)
I. Svevo, La coscienza di Zeno (1923)
Reading of a comics and vision of a film:
T. Sclavi, Dylan Dog. L'uomo che visse due volte, n. 67, 1992.
F. Comencini, Le parole di mio padre (2001)
Bibliography
About Modernism
F. Bertoni, « Il modernismo internazionale e il rinnovamento delle tecniche in Italia », in Il romanzo in Italia. Il primo Novecento, a cura di G. Alfano e F. de Cristofaro, Roma, Carocci, 2018, pp. 39-52.
M. Tortora, « La narrativa modernista italiana », in Allegoria, 2011, pp. 83-91, revue en ligne.
About L. Pirandello :
M. Palumbo, « I doppi di Mattia Pascal », in Id., Il romanzo italiano da Foscolo a Svevo, Roma, Carocci, 2018, pp. 99-111.
M. Polacco, « All'insegna dell'umorismo », in Id., Luigi Pirandello, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2011.
About I. Svevo :
C. Gigante e M. Tortora (a cura di), Svevo, Roma, Carocci, 2021 [cap. C. Gigante, « La coscienza di Zeno », pp. 63-91 ; T. Rimini, « Ricezione », pp. 222-234 ]
M. Tortora, « Zeno antieroe modernista », in Id., « Non ho scritto che un romanzo solo ». La narrativa di Italo Svevo, Firenze, Cesati, 2019, pp. 73-88.
M. Palumbo, « Ercole e Tantalo: interferenze tra Svevo e Pirandello », in Id., Il romanzo italiano da Foscolo a Svevo, Roma, Carocci, 2018, pp. 197-205.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Cultural activities (screenings, shows, conferences, visits, etc.) will be organised. These are an integral part of the course programme and may be assessed. Organisational details will be communicated to students in due course.
Contacts
Thea Rimini
Office A2 6/18
E-mail :
thea.rimini@uliege.be