Examining the apocalyptic in Roberto Saviano’s Gomorra

Abstract

This article examines the apocalyptic in Gomorra (Saviano, 2006). Wu Ming 1 (2008) declared Saviano’s novel to be part of a new body of literature called the “New Italian Epic” based upon the narrative’s seven characteristics. Alessandro Dal Lago (2010), on the other hand, does not think that Saviano’s work represents a new genre. For him, Ming’s sixth characteristic, the unidentified narrative object, has been the narrative technique of various historical authors such as Giovanni Verga (1978) and almost any work by Jorge Borges, just to name two. This technique is that of a composite narrator, which employs mimesis in combination with a diegetic narrative that alternates between being intradiegetic and extradiegetic according to the author’s whim. In assessing Gomorra, Dal Lago argues that there has always been literature that appears to tell an objective truth but that, in fact, represents the author’s subjective portrayal. He calls this writing style the “heroic rhetoric.” Dal Lago is correct in assessing this rhetorical style, but does not fully explain Saviano’s popular success. This article will review the apocalyptic literature to show how it applies to the narrative of Saviano’s prophetic voice in an eschatological context.