Listed by Duotrope
a peer-reviewed quarterly journal on literature
E-ISSN 2457-0265
Acerca de
Erothanatos
Scholarly Article
Barbara Gabriella Renzi
Navigating Nostalgia and Identity: The Psychological Impact of Racism on Women Living Abroad and the Healing Power of Italian Women's Literature
Volume
8
Issue
4
Pages:
1-25
Keywords:
nostalgia, Italian, women, immigrant, displacement, literature
doi:
Abstract
This article explores the healing power of nostalgia in Italian women's literature and its possible and tangible profound impact on immigrant women. By examining works from renowned authors like Elsa Morante, Natalia Ginzburg, Anna Maria Ortese, Dacia Maraini, and Elena Ferrante, the study highlights how these narratives offer comfort, validation, and a sense of cultural connection. These stories, rich with reflections on personal and family histories, provide a deep exploration of identity, resilience, and the emotional complexities experienced by women dealing with cultural displacement. The article underscores how literature, imbued with nostalgic elements, can transform the immigrant experience, offering solace and fostering a deeper understanding of one's heritage and self.
About the Author(s)
Dr. Barbara Gabriella Renzi is a psychologist and academic with extensive experience across multiple countries, including Italy, Northern Ireland, and Germany. Currently residing in Germany, Dr. Renzi has worked with immigrant communities and in suicide prevention, demonstrating a strong commitment to mental health and social well-being. She holds dual PhDs: one in Philosophy and Cognitive Sciences from Queen’s University Belfast, specializing in cognitive metaphors, and another in Culture, Education, and Communication from Roma Tre University, focusing on mediation in conflict zones and psychological interventions.
Dr. Renzi is a registered member of the Italian Order of Psychologists and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Her notable publications include her highly cited paper “Linguistic analysis of IPCC summaries for policymakers and associated coverage” in Nature Climate Change, and her book Evolutionary Analogies: Is the Process of Scientific Change Analogous to the Organic Change?, co-authored with Giulio Napolitano. Additionally, she has authored books such as Irlanda del Nord: Conflitto e Educazione and I Volti e le Voci del Conflitto: Sorry for yer Troubles.
