La SCAPIGLIATURA

Summary

The Scapigliatura, emerging in 19th-century Northern Italy, particularly Milan, represents a group of writers who rebelled against bourgeois conventions and societal norms. This literary movement is characterized by its anti-bourgeois stance, exploration of themes like social deviance and existential despair, and a distinctive lifestyle marked by self-destructive tendencies. Key figures include Cletto Arrighi, who critiqued mainstream literary models, and authors like Emilio Praga and Giovanni Tarchetti. While the Scapigliatura lacked formal organization, it laid the groundwork for future movements like Decadentism, making it a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter in Italian literary history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The scapigliatura movement emerged in Northern Italy, primarily in Lombardy and Piedmont, during the 1860s and 70s.
• 😀 It is characterized not as a strict literary movement but as a collective of writers sharing similar ideals and a countercultural attitude.
• 😀 Authors associated with scapigliatura expressed a deep dissatisfaction with bourgeois conventions and contemporary literature.
• 😀 Scapigliatura advocated for an alternative, often self-destructive lifestyle, including themes of alcoholism and drug use.
• 😀 The movement represents a significant reaction to the rise of capitalism in Italy, similar to the French symbolism and the concept of 'poètes maudits.'
• 😀 Scapigliatura serves as a bridge between Romanticism and Decadentism, challenging established social norms and artistic conventions.
• 😀 Key figures include Cletto Arrighi, who critiqued established literary models, and Giovanni Tarchetti, known for his innovative storytelling.
• 😀 The movement's themes often revolved around social deviance, alienation, and a bleak, disillusioned view of love and society.
• 😀 Despite its innovations, scapigliatura is described as a 'failed avant-garde' due to its lack of coherent organization and manifestos.
• 😀 The legacy of scapigliatura influenced later literary movements, particularly Decadentism, despite the early deaths of many key authors.

Q & A

What time period does La Scapigliatura refer to?

La Scapigliatura refers to the period between the 1860s and 1870s.

Which regions of Italy were primarily associated with La Scapigliatura?

La Scapigliatura was primarily associated with Northern Italy, particularly Lombardy and Piedmont.

What is the main characteristic of the authors involved in La Scapigliatura?

The authors of La Scapigliatura shared an aversion to bourgeois conventions and contemporary literature, promoting an alternative lifestyle.

How did La Scapigliatura react to the concept of capitalism?

La Scapigliatura is seen as Italy's first significant literary reaction to capitalism, characterized by a radical rejection of bourgeois morality.

Who is Cletto Arrighi, and what did he contribute to the understanding of La Scapigliatura?

Cletto Arrighi was a Milanese writer who described scapigliati as a distinct social group, characterized by their independent and turbulent nature.

What themes were prevalent in the literature of La Scapigliatura?

Themes of social deviance, marginalization, horror, and an unsettling view of love were prevalent in the literature of La Scapigliatura.

How did La Scapigliatura differ from earlier literary movements in Italy?

Unlike earlier movements where artists served the state, La Scapigliatura featured artists who distanced themselves from societal norms and critiqued the state of their society.

Which notable authors were part of La Scapigliatura, and what were their contributions?

Notable authors included Giovanni Tarchetti, Emilio Praga, and Carlo Dossi, who explored themes of psychological turmoil and often experimented with narrative styles.

What limitations did La Scapigliatura face that contributed to its decline?

La Scapigliatura lacked a coherent structure or manifesto, and the early deaths of many of its authors also contributed to its decline.

In what way did La Scapigliatura influence later literary movements?

La Scapigliatura influenced the decadentism that followed, leaving a lasting impact on Italian literature despite being often overlooked.