Luigi Capuana
Gli 'ismi' contemporanei
(Verismo, Simbolismo, Idealismo, Cosmopolitanismo) ed altri saggi di critica letteraria ed artistica
"GLI 'ISMI' CONTEMPORANEI" by Luigi Capuana is a collection of literary and artistic criticism written in the late 19th century. The work addresses various contemporary movements in literature and art, including Verism, Symbolism, Idealism, and Cosmopolitanism, reflecting on the state and evolution of Italian literature during that time. The opening of the book presents a lively conversation between two individuals debating the state of Italian literature and its comparative merits with French literature. The dialogue includes references to the struggle for intellectual identity in contemporary Italy, the influence of different literary schools, and the perception of authors such as D’Annunzio and Verga. The conversation touches upon themes of artistic expression, the impact of commercial interests on literature, and the need for confidence in Italian artistic output, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of these literary movements throughout the text.