The Francescanism of Ignazio Silone

Abstract

Ignazio Silone, one of the last “maestri” of Italian literature, the intellectual who never betrayed his conscience, will be analysed in our research concerning his Franciscanism and how the “Poverello di Assisi”, along with Francis’s evangelic faith, has influenced the tormented Italian writer. An old friend of the protagonist named Pierto Spina writes in Silone’s novel Vino e pane: “creare un regime all’ immagine dell’ uomo”—is this not what Francis had proclaimed throughout his entire life, combating human limits in order to reach his “Precious Goal”? Everyone has a goal in life, and Silone achieved his through pure religious and political faith, maintaining a high level of dignity throughout.