The Protagonist as a Symbol of the Bourgeois Class in "Zeno’s Conscience" by Italo Svevo

Abstract

This study aims to examine the portrayal of the protagonist in Zeno's Conscience, a novel by the Italian writer Italo Svevo. The protagonist is depicted as a symbolic representation of the declining Italian bourgeoisie at the beginning of the twentieth century. The research also explores the historical, social, and cultural context in which the novel was written—a period marked by significant political and societal transformations that left a profound impact on literary production across Europe, particularly in Italy. Furthermore, the study highlights the influence of psychoanalysis, especially Sigmund Freud's theories, on both the protagonist and the narrative structure, positioning it as a key element in early twentieth-century literature. Another focal point of the study is the theme of fate and its role in the protagonist's life, examining the conflict between destiny and personal will in an attempt to answer the central question: who ultimately prevails, fate or the individual?

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