WRITTEN PRODUCTION
LITERATURE:
Literature is one of the main components of the cultural identity of a nation. In fact,
writers of all ages have represented the main features of the cultural consciousness
and identity strongly rooted in their own countries inside their works. On the contrary,
others have preferred to adapt to the continuous changes of societies and decided to
expand their horizons and adopt a more cosmopolitan, intercultural perspective. But
which one of the two tendencies is capable of giving an overall view of a country? In
my opinion, the most functional option is the second one.
First of all, I consider that the portrait of a society must be realistic and complete; in
order to give a true picture of the same, authors must necessarily refer to all ethnic
minorities and subgroups. In this regard, I would like to mention two novels I had the
opportunity to analyse at school that fully reflect the intercultural tendency: Harper
Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, focused on the situation of intolerance and prejudice
against black people in the Alabama of the 1930s, and Scott’s “Ivanhoe”, that
represents the persecution against Jews in the England of the 12th century.
Moreover, I find it excessive and redundant to exalt and stand up for national
traditions and values without accepting any external influence. The cultural
contribution of a nation’s minorities can be very precious an add value to the cultural
heritage of a nation. An emblematic example could be Primo Levi’s production, once
again, representative of the conditions of the Jewish people (this time in Italy, during
the Second World War).
In conclusion, by analysing three different cases of literary works that deal with
minorities, we can affirm that an open mind and the acceptance of external influences
provide the opportunity to enhance the cultural heritage of a nation, without the risk
of destroying or replacing it.
