ABSTRACT
Chapter 4 examines the differing roles adopted by Neera in cultural and literary debates of the period. Her numerous epistolary exchanges with important figures from literary, artistic and journalistic circles reveal not only her prominent and influential role in Italian literary and cultural contexts but also the multi-faceted nature of these interactions. In her epistolary exchanges with acclaimed male writers and critics, Neera adopts the role of the uncertain woman writer seeking guidance and assurance from fatherly figures. However, in her epistolary exchanges with emerging male writers, Neera takes on a motherly role, providing guidance and encouragement to young artists. Neera’s letter exchanges with women writers reveal a shared understanding of the difficulties of being a woman writer and point to the desire and need, in those years, for the creation of a female network of collaboration. The differing roles exhibited by Neera in her various epistolary exchanges represent this woman writer’s multiple voices, adopted as required by the circumstances of the occasion. This chapter demonstrates how the private nature of the epistolary form allowed Neera to convey opinions and sentiments that she was unable to express in public settings.
