THE HIDDEN CLUES IN THE INTRODUCTIONS OF “THE LATE MATTIA PASCAL”, “ZENO’S CONSCIENCE” AND “STEPPENWOLF”

Abstract

In this paper we will analyze three novels from the first half of the twentieth century: The Late Mattia Pascal, Zeno's Conscience and Steppenwolf. We will dwell above all on the introductions, given that already in the first pages of their respective stories, Pirandello, Svevo and Hesse have enclosed guidelines for their readers. We will analyze the elements that these three novels have in common, give emphasis to those that differentiate them and try to understand what their particularities are. In short, by comparing the incipits, we will see what a reader risks missing by reading the books superficially.

Keywords: Zeno; Mattia Pascal; Harry Haller; Genette; narrator; introduction.