Luigi Pirandello: BIOGRAPHY

1. Luigi Pirandello:BIOGRAPHY

2. 1867: Born in a village called Chaos, a Suburb of Girgenti, Sicily. Although the suburb and the town were poor, his family was middle class. His family’s sulphur mine was ruined when he was young, leading the family to hard times. EARLY LIFE

3. Not much is documented of his childhood, but many Of the themes in his works seem to be inspired by his Own life. Throughout his life, he wrote more than 350 stories, Most of which contained themes grounded in Reality and everyday life. He also wrote poetry.

4. His wife, Antonietta, suffered from severe mental Illness, which gave him a deeper insight into the Workings of the mind. This eventually showed in his work: In “Cap and Bells”, Pirandello gave a detailed description on how to ‘become mad’. His work constantly covered the subject of rational Truth versus the perceived truth of society. Sometimes his work even borders on the absurd.

5. He became very close friends (and perhaps) Lovers) with Marta Abba, one of Italy’s more famous actresses. She translated several of his plays into English, as well as his final, unfinished work.

6. On his deathbed, Pirandello gave his son a Synopsis of the conclusion to his latest work, “The Mountain Giants”, which he had yet to finish. The conclusion was also eventually translated by Ms Abba and published. He died in Rome, at the age of 69, in 1936.

7. Italy 1867 – 1936

8. 1867 - 1870 “Risorgimento” -Pirandello’s Family supported the Italian Unification movement. -It was a political and social movement that collected the different states of the Italian peninsula into the single state of Italy.

9. Pirandello and Unification -In 1887, he moved to Rome in order to continue his studies. -"When I arrived in Rome it was raining hard, it was night time and I felt like my heart was being crushed, but then I laughed like a man in the throes of desperation." -Pirandello, who was an extremely sensible moralist, saw that people had grown exhausted by the affects of the unification.

10. World War I 1915 - Italy entered World War I on the side of the Allies. -The strains and failures of war pushed Italian unity to the edge. -After the war, Italy underwent three years of political and economic turmoil.

11. 1922 - Post War Italy Fascist Movement -Led by Mussolini. -It was a movement in response to growing socialism and weak central government. -After gaining popularity, the king gave into pressure and asked Mussolini to form a government.

12. Pirandello and Fascism -In the years 1922 -1924, Pirandello finally became an important public figure. He was supported by Mussolini at this time. -In Paris, he received the Legion of Honor, -1925, Mussolini publicly announced his admiration for the playwright, Pirandello opened his own Art Theatre in Rome. -He is well known for the statement, "I am a Fascist because I am an Italian.”

13. Pirandello and Fascism [Continued] Later critics have drawn on his play “The Giants of the Mountain” as a sign that he was starting to realize the anti-cultural aspects of fascism and used it to defend his actions. Mussolini's support clearly helped bring him international fame and introduce the major theatrical centers to his version of the theater.

14. Pirandello- The Interpretation of Identity The ambiguous relationship between reality and belief

15. Six Characters in Search of an Author (Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore) -1921 • Overview: • A family of “characters” from an unfinished drama storm the rehearsal of another theatrical company after being abandoned by their original author • Intruding characters insist upon getting the roles of the theater production’s show in order to gain fullness of character their own character • Make compelling arguments as to their own reality of existence

16. ACT I • The family members begin by telling conflicting versions of the story as to how they arrived where they are. The conflicting stories only serve to emphasize how lost the family is without their competed identities.

17. ACT II • The family begins to act out their story, much to the producers pleasure. Getting a solid idea of the plot, the producer substitutes his own actors into the play, only to find that the family of characters finds their acting dissatisfactory. This act emphasizes that the identity of the • characters is solely theirs • and cannot be replicated • by the troupe’s actors and • actresses.

18. ACT III • The third act begins with an argument between the father and the producer about what is actually real and what is imagined. After the first argument, the family begins to debate about how to play the next scene. The argument dissipates as the eldest son begins telling the story of how he found one of the daughters drowned in the fountain in the garden. As the boy finishes the • story a gunshot is heard and the • characters rush to find the younger • boy shot, though some actors maintain • that he is fine. The play ends with only • a part of the family walking off the stage. • This act stresses the ambiguity • between what is real, and what is real • because it is imagined.

19. "How can we understand each other if the words I use have the sense and the value I expect them to have, but whoever is listening to me inevitably thinks that those same words have a different sense and value, because of the private world he has inside himself too. We think we understand each other: but we never do?”

20. Characters • Father: Leader of the six characters, personality depends on which family member is telling story. Called along with step daughter “most eager to live.” • Mother: mother of all four children (though only had eldest son with the father) quite sullen at the recent loss of her lover, wishes to reconcile her relationship with her only legitimate child, the eldest son • The producer: reluctantly accepts the truth of the characters’ situation as he sees it for an opportunity for success. He is intrigued by the characters’ story and flexible to their demands.

21. Characters Continued • The Son: resents his mother for leaving him as a toddler, as well as his adopted family. The son is also resentful of his father of his father for sending him away for his education • The stepdaughter: is first connected with her stepfather after she is forced into a • brothel to support her family after • her biological father’s death. • Believes her stepfather forced her • mother to leave her, and therefore • resents him, desiring revenge.

22. Lucente, Gregory L. "Luigi Pirandello: Overview." Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Lesley Henderson. 2nd ed. New York: St. James Press, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Gale. Abilene Christian University. 5 Nov. 2009 <http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=LitRC&u=txshracd2478>. "Overview: Six Characters in Search of an Author." Drama for Students. Ed. David M. Galens. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Literature Resource Center. Gale. Abilene Christian University. 7 Nov. 2009 <http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=LitRC&u=txshracd2478>.