The Dead 'And Little Testament' By Eugenio Montale

All over the world, every day citizens of all countries struggle and put up a fight in their daily lives, but they fight harder and longer during times of war. Suffering is an emotion all people can relate to, which is why literature from World War 2 is relatable, and still enjoyed around the world. All the countries angered one another, and dealing with the repercussions from the fighting that had taken place, everyone was suffering one way or another. This misery detected in literature throughout Italy. World War 2 was a devastating time for the world, and the affect on literature is seen in the poems "The Eel” "The Dead” and "Little Testament" all written by Eugenio Montale. "The Eel" written by Montale reflexes the anger Italy still held onto about the war, but the hope they still had. Through symbolism, you can see how desperate Italy is to escape the
The quotes, “Persistence is only extinction,” and, “Humility was not cowardice,”(450), shows that Italy believed instigating was really only trying to drag other nations down. Themes of anger are also seen in Italian literature. This is seen through the quote, “Faint glow catching fire beneath was not the striking of a match,” (450). The striking of the match is starting a fire, which is an analogy for the instigating done by America starting a war. There is also a theme of fear seen in the, “Little Testament.” Italy was scared of the power Hitler had came to during world war 2. This is seen through the quote, “When every other lights gone out and the wild sardana turns hellish,”(449). The wild sardine is an analogy for Hitler, and the lights that have gone out is an analogy for the countries that Hitler and the Nazi’s have gained control over. Literature during world war 2 portrays the restless feelings people were during with during this