Giovanni Verga, an influential Italian writer, emerged from an upper middle class, culturally enriched background in Sicily. His early life was deeply rooted in liberal opposition to the oppressive Bourbon monarchy of southern Italy. Verga's works were shaped by a profound empathy for the peasants, a sentiment that led him to literary prominence.

Early Life and Education

Giovanni Verga was born into a family of five children, to Giovanni Battista Verga Catalano and Caterina di Mauro, who were of upper middle-class descent. The Verga family traces their lineage back to Lajn Gonzalo de Vergas, a Spaniard who settled in Sicily during the thirteenth century. Verga's father was an intellectual with an interest in culture and the occult, while his mother was related to Domenico Castorina, a writer from Catania. Both parents nurtured liberal views, opposing the tyrannical Bourbon monarchy that dominated southern Italy. Although Verga was born in Catania, he spent considerable time in Vizzini to escape the cholera outbreaks and political unrest of the time.

Scholarly Pursuits and Political Influences

Verga began his education in a secular school led by Antonino Abate in 1850, where he was introduced to the works of Dante, Petrarch, Tasso, Ariosto, Foscolo, and Manzoni, alongside the writings of Domenico Castorina. Abate supported Italian unification and envisioned a republic rather than a monarchy. On the contrary, Verga was inspired by Giuseppe Garibaldi's efforts, which led to a unified Italy, embracing the idea of a monarchy. However, unification did not fulfill its promises, as the division of feudal estates favored the middle class, further marginalizing the peasants. This socio-political scenario deeply impacted Verga, fostering a sense of compassion towards the underprivileged, a theme recurrent in his writings.

Transition to Writing

To meet his father's expectations, Verga enrolled in the University of Catania to study law but soon lost interest, gravitating towards writing fiction. His early successes encouraged him to relocate to the Italian mainland to refine his Italian language and literary style. Following the footsteps of notable writers like Alfieri and Manzoni, he moved to Florence, the interim political capital of Italy in 1865. There, Verga perfected his Italian while retaining the essence of Sicilian dialects, gradually eliminating the need for italicized idioms in his texts as he matured as a writer.

Florence and Beyond

In Florence, Verga reconnected with Luigi Capuana and Mario Rapisardi and met Francesco Dall’Ongaro, a recognized critic. At Dall’Ongaro's residence, he encountered Giselda Fojanesi, who became his mistress despite being Rapisardi's wife. Their affair continued until 1883 when Rapisardi discovered the infidelity, leading to its end.

Career in Milan and Literary Achievements

Verga published Sparrow in 1871 and moved to Milan in 1872, where he mingled with the Scapigliatura literary group. This association, though indirect, influenced his pursuit of originality and immediacy in literature. In Milan, Verga authored novels featuring upper-class erotic escapades, set in urban Florence and Milan. Yet, it was the publication of “Nedda” in 1874 that revealed his potential. The decade following 1880 was particularly productive, witnessing the creation of acclaimed works such as The House by the Medlar Tree and Mastro-don Gesualdo along with numerous short stories, though they received lukewarm critical reception.

Legal Battles and Later Life

In 1889, Verga's “Cavalleria rusticana”, adapted into an opera by Mascagni, led to a legal dispute over royalties. Although he won a substantial settlement in 1893, further litigation drained his focus from writing. Disillusioned, he returned to Sicily in 1893, where nostalgia failed to revitalize his literary aspirations. Though he continued to travel, his creative energies waned, leading to an unfinished novel, “La duchessa di Leyra.”

Personal Relationships and...