Ateneo - UPO

Two attempts to approach differently certain texts of Italian literature from the 1950s through to the 1980s: (1) Six 'soloists' of the republic of letters (1953-1986); (2) Odd years of 1960s fiction.

Alex Bardascino, Luciano Curreri, Non di sola destra. Sei ‘solisti’ della Repubblica delle lettere (1953-1986), Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 2022; Luciano Curreri, Anni dispari di narrativa Sessanta, Leonforte (En), Siké, 2023. The student will also be asked to choose and read a couple of novels or (collections of) short stories published between 1953 and 1986 (see complete programme/content).

The course proposes to stimulate the student with (a) an uncommon choice of authors, texts and periodisations (b) and less canon-oriented guidelines (c) in order to suggest to him the idea that literary history is not given once and for all in the manuals and the more or less extensive syntheses they offer, which are useful, but do not impose set limits and do not excluse new interpretations.

Historical and historical-literary knowledge relating to the 20th century, and in particular its second half.

Lectures followed by discussions and questions; web-based teaching if necessary.

Students who plan not to attend classes are kindly requested to contact the teacher to get some general guidelines for exam preparation and to arrange some supplementary readings.

The final exam consists of an oral examination, which will focus on the following points: 1. Verification of knowledge of certain texts of Italian literature from the 1950s to the 1980s, starting with the essays listed above and corresponding to 50% of the exam grade; 2. Testing of skills in analysing and interpreting the texts examined (with particular attention to the texts chosen and presented by the teacher in the classroom; see complete programme/content) and at the same time of communicative skills and the potential to already express an autonomous critical ability, starting with a question on a couple of specific essays, corresponding to 50% of the exam grade. At least sufficient answers to each of the questions are required to pass the examination.

(1) Sei ‘solisti’ della Repubblica delle lettere (1953-1986):
Berto, Giuseppe, Guerra in camicia nera, Garzanti, Milano 1955 e 1967; Marsilio, Venezia 1985; BUR, Milano 2010; Neri Pozza, Vicenza 2020, Prefazione e Postfazione di Domenico Scarpa;
Mazzantini, Carlo, A cercar la bella morte, Mondadori, Milano 1986; Marsilio, Venezia 1995; Marsilio-Feltrinelli, Milano 2020;
Rimanelli, Giose, Tiro al piccione, Mondadori, Milano 1953; Trevi, Roma 1953 (non autorizzata) e 1974; Einaudi, Torino 1991; Rubbettino, Soveria Mannelli (CZ) 2022, Introduzione di Sheryl Lynn Postman, Postfazione di Anna Maria Milone;
Salierno, Giulio, Autobiografia di un picchiatore fascista, Einaudi, Torino 1976, Nota introduttiva di Corrado Stajano; Minimum Fax, Roma 2008, Prefazione di Sergio Luzzatto, Nota (Leggere mio padre) di Simona Salierno;
Virgili, Dante, La distruzione, Mondadori, Milano 1970; PeQuod, An- cona 2003; Italia Storica, Genova 2015; il Saggiatore, Milano 2016, Prefazione di Roberto Saviano;
Zangrandi, Ruggero, Il lungo viaggio attraverso il fascismo. Contributo alla storia di una generazione, Einaudi, Torino 1947; Feltrinelli, Milano 1962; Garzanti, Milano 1971; Mursia, Milano 1998.
(2) Odd years of 1960s fiction:
Giuseppe Dessí, Il disertore, Feltrinelli, Milano 1961; Mondadori, «Oscar», Milano 1976, introduzione di Anna Dolfi; Ilisso, Nuoro 1997, con prefazione di Sandro Maxia;
Mario Pomilio, La compromissione, Vallecchi, Firenze 1965; ivi, 1973, con un scritto di Salvatore Battaglia; Rusconi, Milano 1978; Mondadori, «Oscar», Milano 1989, introduzione di Fulvio Scaglione; Bompiani, Milano e Giunti, Firenze 2021, con introduzione di Giuseppe Lupo;
Renzo Rosso, La dura spina, Feltrinelli, Milano 1963; Mondadori, «Oscar», Milano 1981, introduzione di Attilio Bertolucci; Garzanti, «Elefanti», Milano 1989, sempre con int. di A. B.; Isbn Edizioni, Milano 2010, con uno scritto di Anco Marzio Mutterle;
Leonardo Sciascia, La frode, «La città», marzo 1967; La Racla, Catania 1982, ill. e con nota di Fortunato Grosso; ora in Id., Il fuoco nel mare. Racconti dispersi (1947-1975), a cura di Paolo Squillacioti, Adelphi, Milano 2010.
Dessí’s circular appendix for 'one step back':
Giuseppe Dessí, La ballerina di carta, Cappelli, Bologna 1957; Ilisso, Nuoro 2009, con prefazione di Luciano Curreri.

In order to attain the knowledge and skills corresponding to the a passing level, student is asked to demonstrate: (KNOWLEDGE) to know the main typologies of the italian novel selected in the second half of the 20th century (1953-1986); (SKILLS) to be able to analyse and interpret texts, linking historical-literary elements to ethical and political ones; (TRANSVERSAL SKILLS) to be able to present in a clear and effective manner knowledge, information and opinions related to the texts and problems dealt with, using appropriate language and terminology. For the attainment of a more advanced level, the student must demonstrate: a personal vision of the themes addressed in the lessons, combined with a critical ability for analysis and synthesis.