| |
| author |
Lauren DeLillo
| | title |
Le lettere di Fortunata Mauro: esempio di scrittura epistolare come processo di identità e
assimilazione culturale degli immigrati italiani negli Stati Uniti di inizio Novecento
| | abstract |
The research of this thesis project was inspired by the letter writing of my great
grandmother, Fortunata Mauro, who came from Italy and settled in the United States as an
immigrant in 1946. The primary question that this thesis explores is whether or not
Fortunata's immigration journey demonstrates similarities and/or differences to those of
others during the period immediately following World War II (1946-1976). The other main
question is to determine whether the negative connotation of the concept of immigration
by the media is accurate, or if there is more hidden positivity that better represents the truth
for the majority of Italian immigrants. The stage for this thesis is set with some historical
background on immigration over the years. Afterwards, the analysis of the pieces of
immigrant writing reveal common themes among all of their immigration experiences,
including courage, happiness, sacrifice, assimilation, identity, and love. Additionally, the
concept of "quiet individualism," which describes a piece of writing about oneself in a soft
and humble manner, rather than by "shouting," demonstrates that no matter the situational
differences between each of these Italian immigrants, they were one in the same. In fact,
authenticity and happiness were able to shine through in the epistolary writing of all the
Italian immigrants researched.
| | school |
The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
| | degree |
B.A. (2021)
|
| advisor |
Emanuele Occhipinti
|
| committee |
John Muccigrosso
Maria Turrero-Garcia
|
| full text | LDeLillo.pdf |
| |
