Study of Metamorphoses in Calvino’s Fiabe Italiane

• Main Authors: Leonora Lee, 李潤荌
• Other Authors: 杜明城
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/6bpm4x

碩士 === 國立臺東大學 === 兒童文學研究所 === 95 === Fiabe Italiane was compiled and edited by the famous Italian writer Italo Calvino, which is one of the most important fairytales in the twentieth century and considered as world’s masterpieces to be compared with such works like Grimms Fairytales and One Thousand and One Nights. Among his 200 fairytales, about one fifth of them are related to transformation which can be traced to Ovid’s Metamorphosis. It also reveals the literary traits of estrangement, peril, and eccentrics in Fiabe Italiane. Metamorphosis has been long an enduring subject of human race. The study chose 38 stories from the collection to analyze some elements of transformation including the object to be transformed, the transformed, the sources of magic spell, power of disenchantment, the consequence of transference, and the structure of metamorphosis. The study was traced to investigate the origin of this concept behind the formation of the stories and extended beyond that to investigate the relationship between human beings and nature. The study found that the objects of transformation are closely related to human life. In the stories, some ancient ritualism can be found. In analyzing the elements of transformation,the transformed are mostly the protagonists of the story. No matter if they are nobleman or common people, metamorphosis can serve to change life and achieve happiness. Causes of transformation are in most cases are not aware by the people involved, who usually led to a better life. The study also found that stories of metamorphosis are originated from the innermost need of human beings for change. It echoed the concepts of dream and soul and the uses of phychedelic plants of ancient people. Metamorphosis has both facial and deep meaning behind the story. It serves function of compensation for the readers. As long as the desire for transformation is remained, subjects of metamorphosis will persist. Metamorphosis is an eternal call of collective unconsciousness for the harmonic existence of human beings and nature.