A Pagliaro
8 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: A first-year subject in Italian, or equivalent knowledge of the language
Objectives The subject seeks to equip students with
analytical skills transferable to broader contexts and should enable them to
discern how methods of interpretation and preference for certain topics can
influence the text. As students work progressively through the body of material
they should develop an understanding of the nature of realistic representation,
the questionable claim of producing objective reality. They should be able to
acquire those skills which will enable them to analyse critically a literary
text: distinguish between the author and narrator, be aware of narrative
structures and of the relationship between the reader and the text. Students
will be able to demonstrate through a class paper their application of textual
analysis and through a major essay they will be able to pursue a personal area
of interest derived from the course. A test at the completion of the subject
will provide them with opportunity to show to what extent they attained an
understanding of key concepts developed in the subject.
Synopsis The subject will analyse the sociohistorical context of unified
Italy through the reading of three major Sicilian novels fundamental to the
development of the modern novel form. Factors involved in the genesis of these
three novels, as well as their position in the broader context of modern
Italian narrative will be examined. Attention will be given to the theory
behind narrative techniques intended to represent objective reality and the
subsequent redirection of focus towards various modern questions of identity,
reality and social conventions.
Assessment Written (3000 words): 70% - Examinations (2 hours): 20% - Seminar participation: 10%
Prescribed texts
Verga G I Malavoglia Mondadori, 1991
De Roberto F I Vicerè Garzanti, 1988
Pirandello L Il fu Mattia Pascal Mondadori, 1988