Pecore nere is a collection of stories which explore the questions of identity and italianità within modern Italian society. Each of the four female authors has immigrant origins and this becomes a key focus in their stories, often writing about their journeys towards acceptance, whether that be from other Italians or from the central characters themselves.
Although modern Italy is beginning to recognise its history with colonisation and the existence of migrants in the country, it still fails to welcome them as permanent residents despite many being born or growing up in the country. As explained by Manuela Coppola, ‘no matter how long migrants have been living in Italy, their stay is always perceived as temporary… the temporary migrant …show more content…
However, we soon discover that one of the suitcases contains Italian souvenirs, and the protagonist realises that, unbeknownst to them, they have ‘un’altra matria’ . There is a clear struggle of identity here as the suitcases become dual, almost contradictory symbols. On the one hand, they symbolise the family’s longing to return home, back to their motherland. On the other, the transient nature of their identity; the family has moved around, thus gathering complicated geographical identities represented through their suitcases, sparking a wider question of personal identity and of the her own italianità. Her desire to move into a home with wardrobes is an attempt to break down her transient identity, instead coming to terms with the permanent bond that she has with Italy. Italy has become as much a part of her and her family’s identity as …show more content…
This sentiment expressed by Balibar allows for a deeper understanding of why eating the sausages is so meaningful to the protagonist. For her, by taking part in everyday traditions and cultural practices, she hoped that it would magically make her more Italian, however this illusion is quickly shattered:
Perché voglio negare me stessa, solo per far contenta una signora butterate con la voce da travestito? O far contenti i sadici che hanno introdotto l’umiliazione delle impronte? Sarei più italiana con una salsiccia nello stomaco? E sarei meno somala? O tutto il contrario? No, sarei la stessa, lo stesso
Although modern Italy is beginning to recognise its history with colonisation and the existence of migrants in the country, it still fails to welcome them as permanent residents despite many being born or growing up in the country. As explained by Manuela Coppola, ‘no matter how long migrants have been living in Italy, their stay is always perceived as temporary… the temporary migrant …show more content…
However, we soon discover that one of the suitcases contains Italian souvenirs, and the protagonist realises that, unbeknownst to them, they have ‘un’altra matria’ . There is a clear struggle of identity here as the suitcases become dual, almost contradictory symbols. On the one hand, they symbolise the family’s longing to return home, back to their motherland. On the other, the transient nature of their identity; the family has moved around, thus gathering complicated geographical identities represented through their suitcases, sparking a wider question of personal identity and of the her own italianità. Her desire to move into a home with wardrobes is an attempt to break down her transient identity, instead coming to terms with the permanent bond that she has with Italy. Italy has become as much a part of her and her family’s identity as …show more content…
This sentiment expressed by Balibar allows for a deeper understanding of why eating the sausages is so meaningful to the protagonist. For her, by taking part in everyday traditions and cultural practices, she hoped that it would magically make her more Italian, however this illusion is quickly shattered:
Perché voglio negare me stessa, solo per far contenta una signora butterate con la voce da travestito? O far contenti i sadici che hanno introdotto l’umiliazione delle impronte? Sarei più italiana con una salsiccia nello stomaco? E sarei meno somala? O tutto il contrario? No, sarei la stessa, lo stesso