L'impegno del dopo as seen in the works and methodology of Nuto Revelli

Stewart, Fiona Mairi (2007) L'impegno del dopo as seen in the works and methodology of Nuto Revelli. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This thesis examines the extent to which the clearly identifiable individual sense of an 'impegno del dopo' seen in Mai tardi (1946), Revelli's first publication, evolves to encompass a sense of 'impegno' on behalf of others. Revelli's 'impegno del dopo' arose from his experiences as an officer with the alpini on the Russian front during 1941-1943. During his time as an officer, he built up a relationship with the contadini-soldati whom he commanded. This relationship with the rural communities of Piedmont deepened during the Resistance of 1943-1945. After the Liberation, Revelli spent the rest of his life testifying to his own experiences during 1941-1945 and facilitating tlie testimony of marginalized groups: the dispersi (L'ultimo fronte, 1971), the contadini-soldati (La strada del davai, 1966, La guerra dei poveri, 1962), and the contadini (Il mondo dei vinti, 1977, L'anello forte, 1985). I argue that the same developing 'impegno del dopo' which arose out of Revelli's Russian experiences is responsible for his later research and publications. Revelli developed his own methodology in response to his 'impegno del dopo'. This -diesis traces the development of Revelli's approach and analyzes its theoretical implications. Revelli's theory and practice is analyzed with reference to the two disciplines his work most closely borders: literature and history. However, Revelli saw himself as an amateur and outside established disciplines; it is argued that in later decades there is a rapprochement between the two. The implications of Revelli's methodology for his 'impegno del dopo'- particularly in respect of his collections of oral testimonies - are analyzed with reference to common theory and practice. This incorporates an examination of Revelli's role as witness, issues in memory and forgetting, and the question of historical truth versus testimonial truth.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Romance literature.
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Modern Languages and Cultures > Italian
• Supervisor's Name: Morris, Dr. Penny
• Date of Award: 2007
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2007-70963
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 08 May 2019 09:21
• Last Modified: 01 Jun 2021 09:11
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.70963
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/70963