Visions Of Modernity

Visions Of Modernity

1. Identities

   • La Conoscienza di Zeno: Italo Svevo
     • La Coscienza di Zeno
     • Il fumo
       • Zeno is sick
     • Morte del padre
     • Matrimonio
     • Moglie e amante
     • Un'associazione
     • Psico-analisi
       • The world is sick
   • Enrico IV: Luigi Pirandello
     • Enrico IV
     • Construction of identity
       • Enrico's real name is never learned
       • Theme : Masks.
         • Imprisoned within the mask. A self fulfilling prophecy of identity
         • Masks begin normally by choice but Enrico chooses to become Emperor Henry after 12 years
           • This makes his mask unique
         • Public vs private persona
         • Mise en abîme : a play within a play
         • Enrico's first dialogue has him talking about masks
           • Causes Matilda di Spina to be so disturbed/shocked that she faints
         • Enrico's makeup is heavy, resembling a mask, or at least a different face
     • Don Quixote
     • Theme : Time
     • Modernity and madness
       • Enricos realisation of true identity. Makes him teeter between sanity and madness
       • Doctor /psychiatrist is symbol of modernity
         • Employs unorthodox methods in an attempt to 'cure' the patient
       • In act I, characters dressed in modern clothes are made to change. Enrico believed it to be witchcraft
     • Similarities with La Coscienza di Zeno
       • The psychiatrist
       • Eccentric protagonists

2. Cities

   • Mario Sironi
     • How To Analyse Paintings
     • Cities - Mario Sironi
   • Giorgio De Chirico
     • How To Analyse Paintings
     • Lack of human presence motif

3. Men and Machines

   • Minnie La Candida: Massimo Bontempelli
   • Giorgio De Chirico
     • How To Analyse Paintings