This article analyses the theme of justice within a series of literary texts focusing on trials that were published in Italy between 1876 and 1889. Within this span of time, the medico-legal debates centred on the redefinition of the Italian criminal code, which came into effect in 1890, reached its peak. The aim of the article is to show how, contrary to what scholars have repeatedly claimed, popular literature participated eagerly in the conflict. Many writers used the criminal trial not only as a means of denouncing the Italian justice system, uncovering its anomalies and shortcomings, but also with the aim to reveal the complex workings of the law to a larger and more diverse audience. In so doing, they allowed the penetration within popular culture of discourses that, until that moment, had remained of exclusive domain of the ruling class.
Giustizia, processo e opinione pubblica nella letteratura criminale italiana (1876-1889)
Serafini, Stefano
2020
Abstract
This article analyses the theme of justice within a series of literary texts focusing on trials that were published in Italy between 1876 and 1889. Within this span of time, the medico-legal debates centred on the redefinition of the Italian criminal code, which came into effect in 1890, reached its peak. The aim of the article is to show how, contrary to what scholars have repeatedly claimed, popular literature participated eagerly in the conflict. Many writers used the criminal trial not only as a means of denouncing the Italian justice system, uncovering its anomalies and shortcomings, but also with the aim to reveal the complex workings of the law to a larger and more diverse audience. In so doing, they allowed the penetration within popular culture of discourses that, until that moment, had remained of exclusive domain of the ruling class.
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