Forbidden and not recommended books: il Piccolo emigrante and its author Arpalice Cuman Pertile

Abstract

Teacher and writer of children's books Arpalice Cuman Pertile was born in Marostica, northern Italy, on May 12, 1876, a time when many of her countrymen immigrated to the Americas. She was the first woman from Marostica to get a Graduation in Higher Education in 1898 and became a teacher at the Normal School for a period when her speeches in favor of peace and her non-adherence to fascism led to her exclusion from teaching, and her books stopped being recommended. Writer of numerous works of children's literature, including Il Piccolo Emigrante, published by the renowned publisher G. B. Paravia. Interweaving biographical aspects of the author and her works, especially Il Piccolo Emigrante, in this analysis I try to think about the relationship between Arpalice Cuman Pertile, her works and the evidence of the defense of peace and freedom, in the Italian historical context of the first half of the twentieth century. Through the historical documentary analysis of books, correspondence, photographs and newspapers, the narrative allows us to glimpse the life story of a writer and teacher who witnessed two great wars and suffered in the midst of fascist totalitarianism. By the end of the 1920s, her children's literature and educational works were no longer recommended because they were not linked to fascist ideals. Even with the imposition of isolation and precarious living conditions, Arpalice echoed in her writings the defense of freedom, justice, peace and human fraternity. Arpalice died in her hometown on March 30, 1958.