Spring 2010

ITL 375 • THE ANTI-HERO IN THE 20TH CENTURY ITALIAN NOVEL

Course Description

This course will be taught in Italian The turn of the century brought about together with the world war the crisis of Positivism with its faith in scientific and social progress. Nietzsche's philosophical skepticism, Freud's study of the subconscious and Einstein's theory of relativity contribute to the collapse of all absolute certainties, those of religions as well as those of science. The anti-hero was, thus, the logical consequence of this new philosophical milieu in which extreme reflecton and self-doubt impeded action. In this course we will read and examine five major novels of the Novecento: Luigi Pirandello's Il fu Mattia Pascal, Italo Svevo's La Coscienza di Zeno, Alberto Moravia's Gli Indifferenti, Leonardo Sciascia's A ciascuno il suo and Italo Calvino's Palomar.

Grading Policy

Exams (2)= 50%
Short papers &/or quizzes: 40%
Participation: 10%

Texts

Luigi Pirandello's Il fu Mattia Pascal
Italo Svevo's La Coscienza di Zeno
Alberto Moravia's Gli Indifferenti
Leonardo Sciascia's A ciascuno il suo
Italo Calvino's Palomar

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