The City as the Fragmented Mirror of Poetry: Corrado Govoni's Early Works (1903-1915)

This article analyses the significance of the theme of the city in Corrado Govoni's early poetic works. Criticism has until now mainly focused on the diversity of styles and repertoire that characterizes Govoni's drift from late symbolism towards crepuscolarismo and eventually Futurism. This study highlights instead the elements of continuity, using the example of the theme of the city to show that Govoni's gaze, and his relationship with representation and his poetic objects, remains virtually unchanged throughout his itinerary through different manners and styles.