ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part provides both an exploration of some recurrent traits in Elio Vittorini's work and a critical assessment of his overall contribution to Italian culture. It attempts to define the evolution of Vittorini's narrative technique in relation to the ideological implications of his stylistic choices. The part aims at highlighting a peculiar trait in Vittorini's narrative. It is a peculiarity that cannot be explained away with a general reference to the fairy-tale world of the Arabian Nights and to its importance in Vittorini's childhood. It is also intriguing to note that the presence of these 'royal' male and female characters is often associated with generational issues. The part also aims at assessing the role played by Vittorini as an active presence within the Italian cultural arena.
