Fontamara by Ignazio Salone is a create work of
historic fiction. What makes it so amazing is that it presents the struggle of
an entire population that probably never existed but can be seen in parallel to
similar actions found throughout Mussolini’s reign. Not only can be applied to
the specific era and location of its setting, but can be used as a voice
against oppression of the lower class in any society.
The cafonis found in Fontamara can be seen as a
representation of all oppressed lower class. They not only lack the physical
resources of the upper class, but are incapable of changing this imbalance due
to their inability to gain an education. This is where the heart of oppression lies,
not in control of materials or wealth but in control of the spirits of the oppressed. The cafonis are constantly incapable of getting fair wages
because they do not have the mental wit that would be required to do so. Institutionally
they are taken advantage of as well, mainly due to their lack of knowing the
dominant languages in their country.
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