Bestiary Images in the Works of Tommaso Landolfi

Occupation: Associate Professor at the Russian State University for the Humanities; Senior Research Fellow at the A.M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Affiliation:
Russian State University for the Humanities
A.M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Journal name

Izvestiia Rossiiskoi akademii nauk. Seriia literatury i iazyka

Edition

Volume 80 Issue 3

Pages

70-77

Abstract

This article considers the role and place of bestiary images in the works of Tommaso Landolfi (1908–1979). The relationship between man and the animal world becomes the central theme during the first period of the writer's work. Coming in touch with animals who fundamentally differ from man reveals in a human being the hidden aspects of his character. Empathy for animals helps to overcome egocentrism, strengthens person’s humane side. And vice versa, indifference to the suffering of animals is an indicator of mental emptiness and of an existential crisis. To the writer, animals appear to be extremely mysterious creatures which become a source of inspiration. In Landolfiʼs literary heritage, we find hybrid fantasy creatures acting as keepers of secret knowledge, into which they initiate only creatively gifted people. At the same time, representatives of the animal world may prove to be guides not only into the mystical sphere, but also into the macabre world of human phobias. As a staunch opponent of anthropocentrism, Landolfi seeks to emphasize the essential otherness of the animal world, to get closer to which it is possible through empathy and creativity.

Keywords

Italian literature of the twentieth century, Tommaso Landolfi, bestiary, animals, the other world, anthropomorphism, bestialization

Received

27.06.2021

Publication date

27.06.2021

Number of characters

27387

Cite

GOST	Saburova L. Bestiary Images in the Works of Tommaso Landolfi // Izvestiia Rossiiskoi akademii nauk. Seriia literatury i iazyka – 2021. – V. 80. – Issue 3 C. 70-77 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://izv-oifn.ru/S241377150015625-0-1 (circulation date: 26.04.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S241377150015625-0
MLA	Saburova, Liudmila E "Bestiary Images in the Works of Tommaso Landolfi." Izvestiia Rossiiskoi akademii nauk. Seriia literatury i iazyka 80.3 (2021):70-77. DOI: 10.31857/S241377150015625-0
APA	Saburova L. (2021). Bestiary Images in the Works of Tommaso Landolfi. Izvestiia Rossiiskoi akademii nauk. Seriia literatury i iazyka 80(3), pp.70-77 DOI: 10.31857/S241377150015625-0

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