More than Marias and Toninos: Pietro di Donato Takes Italian Americans beyond a Single Story

Year 2023, Issue: 60, 97 - 120, 31.12.2023

Giannina A. Lucantoni

Abstract

This essay examines specifics in the literary works of Italian
American author, Pietro di Donato, that demonstrate how the author
highlights complexities of Italian American identity. Focusing on
scenes from a variety of di Donato’s works - not just the ever-popular
Christ in Concrete - this essay shows common objects from every-day
life playing a role in revealing some profound characteristics associated
with one America’s most misunderstood immigrant groups.
Moving through a timeline of novels, articles, and short stories
produced during di Donato’s fifty-plus years of writing, this essay
brings attention to scenes and characters unacknowledged in previous
research. The scenes from di Donato’s writing focused on throughout
this essay feature objects and tools that have a role in character
development, thus expanding the understanding of Italian American
Identity. Most notably, this essay departs from typical indicators of
Italian American identity like food or religion and includes references
to di Donato’s last novel which remains unpublished; The American
Gospels.

Keywords

Italian American, job, labor, objectify, Pietro di Donato, Stereotypes, tools

References

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