67310 - Northern Literatures (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the classes the student will have theoretical and methodological instruments in order to know Nordic literatures.Nordic literatures it means literary expressions in Danish, Feroese, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish languages, from the very beginnings to the contemporary age. Due to the strong linguistic and cultural similitude, the classes will follow a comparatistic approach to Nordic literatures taking into account also other arts (painting, movie, music, etc.). The student will be able to know the most important social aspects of the Nordic culture which will be useful in a larger humanistic learning.

Course contents

The classes will be shared in two modules (Module A) and (Module B).

Module A (30 hours):

Identity in Change: Iceland from Rurality to Urbanisation

By reading three novels by contemporary Icelandic authors, the course will follow the social, cultural and literary developments of Iceland, from the romantic pastoral idyll of the XIX century to the rush to costal areas and the spread of urban realities during the Second World War. We will reflect on the impact of climate on shaping the Icelandic character, on isolated settlements and the growth of urban realities, on female roles, on globalisation.

We will then watch and comment the documentary Heima by Sigur Rós and an Icelandic movie (79 á stöðinni).

Module B (30 hours): The soul of North between tradition and every-day reality.

The module will be articulated in two sections:

B1) The Nordic literature: from the myth of the sagas to urban life. It will be investigated the concept of Nordic identity through the works of some important writers of the Scandinavian literature. Among them: Hans Christian Andersen (Denmark), Henrik Ibsen (Norway), Selma Lagerlöf (Sweden), which will be read in Italian translation.

B2) Being Scandinavians: representation of the identity in the movie. The Scandinavian cinema is worthly reputed since the beginning of 20th century. Very few cultural areas have investigated the inner soul as deep as the Scandinavians, and they produces masterpieces. They are, at the same time, art and mirror of the Scandinavian soul. The following films will be proposed and analysed: Il settimo sigillo, Il posto delle fragole (Bergman), Il pranzo di Babette (Axel), Festen (Vinterberg). Some literary works near to the spirit of the films will be commented.

Readings/Bibliography

Module A)

Module A)

Halldór Laxness, Gente indipendente, Milano, Iperborea, 2004

Jón Kalman Stefánsson, Paradiso e Inferno, Milano, Iperborea, 2011

Arnaldur Indriðason, Sotto la citt à , Milano, Guanda 2005

Daisy Neijmann ed., A History of Icelandic Literature, University of Nebraska, 2006 (pp. 357-425)

Other useful material for clarifying the historical and social context will be given by the teacher.

Module B1)

- Hans Christian ANDERSEN, La regina della neve, in Id., Fiabe, Milano: Mondadori, 2005, pp. 202-230 (any edition);

- Henrik IBSEN, Quando noi morti ci destiamo (any edition);

- Selma LAGERLÖF, L'imperatore di Portugallia, Milano: Iperborea, 2003

- Peter DAVIDSON, L'idea di nord, Roma: Donzelli, 2005, pp. 3-174;

Module B2)

A book among:

- Karen BLIXEN, Il pranzo di Babette, in Ead. I capricci del destino, Milano: Feltrinelli, 200521, pp. 7-46

- Ingmar BERGMAN, Il settimo sigillo, Milano: Iperborea, 2005

- Ingmar BERGMAN, Il posto delle fragole, Milano: Iperborea, 2004

- David Eldridge, Festen, London: Methuen, 2004

Teaching methods

Front lessons and seminars

Assessment methods

Oral examination

Teaching tools

Film projection

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Zironi