Italian Backgrounds

"Italian Backgrounds" by Edith Wharton is a collection of essays written in the early 20th century. The work presents a detailed exploration of Italy's landscapes, architecture, and cultural nuances, showcasing Wharton's keen observations and reflections on her experiences in various Italian locales. The author captures the contrasts between the picturesque qualities of the Swiss Alps and the rich, passionate beauty of Italy, revealing her deep appreciation for the Italian way of life. The opening of the text embarks on a journey through the Swiss village of Splügen, emphasizing the transition from the meticulously maintained and picturesque landscapes of Switzerland to the more chaotic and human-influenced beauty of Italy. Wharton describes the daily life in Splügen, detailing its agricultural practices and the interactions among villagers. She expertly sets the stage for an impending journey into Italy, portraying the quiet allure and comfort of the alpine village while hinting at the overwhelming pull of the Italian landscape and culture just beyond the pass. This initial exploration not only establishes the geographical focus of the essays but also highlights Wharton's nuanced understanding of the interplay between nature and human expression in shaping cultural identities. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edith Newbold Wharton was an American writer and designer. Wharton drew upon her insider's knowledge of the upper-class New York "aristocracy" to portray, realistically, the lives and morals of the Gilded Age. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, for her novel, The Age of Innocence. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, in 1996. Her other well-known works are The House of Mirth, the novella Ethan Frome, and several notable ghost stories.