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Luigi CapuanaItalian journalist and literary historian
Date of Birth: 28.05.1839
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Luigi Capuana: Italian Literary Pioneer and Verismo Master
- Education and Literary Debut
- University and Involvement in the Risorgimento
- Literary Success in Florence
- Return to Sicily and Administrative Duties
- Verismo and Literary Theory
- Milan and Rome: A Prolific Period
- Later Years and Personal Life
Luigi Capuana: Italian Literary Pioneer and Verismo Master
Early Life and EducationLuigi Capuana was born on May 28, 1839, in Mineo, Sicily, to a wealthy family of landowners. From a young age, he was exposed to Sicilian folklore and influenced by his uncle, a priest who encouraged his early writing in Sicilian. After attending grammar and rhetoric classes at the local Jesuit-run school, Capuana entered the prestigious Royal College in Bronte in 1851.
Education and Literary Debut
At the college, Capuana's interest in Italian literature grew under the guidance of a priest-teacher, Gesualdo de Luca. He developed a strong sense of patriotism and support for Italian unification. During his studies, he published his first sonnet, "Sonetto per Immacolata Concezione della Beata Vergine Maria." Health issues forced him to leave college in 1855.
University and Involvement in the Risorgimento
Returning to Mineo, Capuana pursued an eclectic education in literature, theater, history, natural sciences, and occultism. In 1857, he enrolled at the Faculty of Law at the University of Catania. However, he continued to focus on literature and befriended poets and writers. Despite family pressure, he left the university in 1859 and joined a secret committee supporting Giuseppe Garibaldi's imminent landing on Sicily.
Literary Success in Florence
Recognizing the limitations of provincial life, Capuana relocated to Florence in 1864. The city provided a vibrant intellectual environment, and he became a regular at the literary salon of Ongaro-Pozzolini and the Café Michelangelo. In 1865, he met his fellow Sicilian, Giovanni Verga. Capuana also emerged as a respected theater critic, publishing his first prose work, the novella "Il dottor Cymbalus," in 1867.
Return to Sicily and Administrative Duties
Due to health problems, Capuana returned to Mineo in 1868. Faced with financial difficulties, he accepted posts as an inspector of elementary schools and a municipal councilor. He was later elected Mayor of Mineo. During this period, he focused on administrative duties and explored other artistic endeavors such as photography and ceramics.
Verismo and Literary Theory
In the early 1870s, Capuana became fascinated by philosopher Angelo Camillo De Meis's theory of literary evolution and death. This influenced his development of a naturalist theory, emphasizing the use of documentary evidence in literary works. In 1877, he moved to Milan and joined the staff of the newspaper "Corriere della Sera." Here, he published his groundbreaking novel "Giacinta" (1879), widely considered the manifesto of the Verismo movement in literature.
Milan and Rome: A Prolific Period
Capuana's stay in Milan marked a prolific period. He published several essays on contemporary literature, including studies on Zola, de Goncourt, and Verga. In 1888, he moved to Rome and continued his literary output. He explored themes of disillusionment and social injustice in works such as "Il marchese di Roccaverdina" (1892).
Later Years and Personal Life
In his later years, Capuana's personal life was marked by scandals and family disputes. He had several illegitimate children with a servant girl, and his second marriage was unhappy. Capuana died on November 29, 1915, in Catania.
Luigi Capuana's literary legacy remains significant. As a pioneer of Verismo, he championed realism and the portrayal of ordinary life in Italian literature. His works continue to be studied and appreciated for their sociological insights, psychological depth, and evocative depictions of Sicilian society.
