Self and Self-Compromise in the Narratives of Pirandello and Moravia

This study presents a distinctly new interpretation of key works by Luigi Pirandello and Alberto Moravia that dramatizes the identity crisis of the individual, a theme that figures so prominently in twentieth-century literature. Previous criticism considered these narratives solely within a European context and assumed that the protagonists failed to resolve their dilemmas. As the present study reveals, however, an alternative approach is warranted by evidence that Pirandello and Moravia were familiar with fundamental tenets of Buddhism, the first philosophy to advocate the deconstruction of personal identity. Combining a lucid explanation of Buddhist doctrine with Western sources, Dr. Stella demonstrates that by "losing their identity," characters such as Mattia Pascal end not in defeat, as is commonly supposed, but in victory over existential suffering and discontent.

Report

"Readers and students of two leading figures in European literature of the twentieth century - Pirandello and Moravia - are offered an exciting array of totally new insights into their writings. Through a close reading of the original texts, this convincingly documented study reveals new literary and philosophical dimensions to their work, one that overturns the traditional view of the Pirandellian misfit and the Moravian erotomaniac. This book is a must for everyone interested in contemporary literature and thought." (John A. Scott, Professor of Italian, The University of Western Australia)

Product details

• Authors: M. John Stella
• Publisher: Peter Lang
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.10.2016
• EAN: 9780820444543
• ISBN: 978-0-8204-4454-3
• No. of pages: 264
• Weight: 480 g
• Series: Studies in Italian Culture; Studies in Italian Culture - Literature in History; Lang, Peter Frankfurt; Studies in Italian Culture; Studies in Italian Culture - Literature in History; Studies in Italian Culture Literature in History
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies