Fascino e trappole del fantastico nelle opere di Ada Negri

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the forms of the fantastic in Ada Negri’s writings. The starting point are two critical essays by Farnetti (1988) and Alpini (2009), which will be considered in order to clearly define the role played by the use of supernatural and surreal elements in the works by Negri, who is generally classified as a realistic fiction writer. The present study intends to demonstrate that, specifically in contrast with Alpini’s opinion, Negri’s fantastic only partially discloses the hidden and deep female ‘Self’, leading to a female empowerment. In fact, in most cases, it reveals the conflict between reality and imagination, traditional and innovative points of view on existence, patriarchal/agrarian society and rising industrial capitalism, androcentrism and the recognition of a central role of women, albeit not providing solutions. Indeed, Negri’s fantastic highlights the distressing nature of modern times, focusing on the unbearable condition represented by the society of the ‘past’ but, at the same time, on how unattainable the society of a ‘close future’ is.

Keywords: Ada Negri, ghosts, uncanny, revenants, crisis of the twelfth century, woman’s role