Power and agency in portrayals of gendered relationships in Regina Di Luanto's Un Martirio (1894) and Memini's L'ultima Primavera (1894)

Tomaselli, Francesca (2023). Power and agency in portrayals of gendered relationships in Regina Di Luanto's Un Martirio (1894) and Memini's L'ultima Primavera (1894). University of Birmingham. M.A.

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Abstract

This thesis explores the representation of stereotypical gender roles in the portrayal of female protagonists in two novels of nineteenth-century Italian writers Memini and Regina di Luanto. The aim of the project was to identify whether these two authors – with seemingly widely differing perspectives regarding women’s standing in society- addressed in any measure the political and social issue of women’s emancipation through their female characters, and if so, whether they might have meant to engender some reflection in this regard. In order to do that, I focused on two main research strands: firstly, I looked at whether these authors’ narrative strategies had crafted developed characters, capable of inspiring empathy in their readership and potentially prompt further thought as concerned women’s reality in fin-de-siècle Italy. Secondly, I analysed their two female protagonists in more detail, in order to ascertain the degree of agency conferred to them, and in what measure their portrayal conformed or attempted to subvert gender norms of the time. In fact, by drawing parallels between women’s experiences and their female protagonists’ vicissitudes, Regina di Luanto and Memini have expanded our knowledge of the period and shone a light on the 'condizione femminile' in nineteenth-century Italy.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.A.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.A.

Supervisor(s):