The Distant Gaze
Italy of the Second World War in the Memory of Prisoners of War
abstract
The ‘distant gaze’ is that of the men who went beyond the confused events that reached them from their country among the reticulates or in their workplaces, to regenerate themselves and Italy in generally unfinished projects. Once back in their homes, the day after their liberation or at the end of their life, they turned another gaze to reread, rethink and put in order the many memories of events and people that were still before their eyes. This was a gaze willing to be acknowledged, which now turns to ours, encouraging us to measure the distance that always divides people’ lives, to hold the meanings that dwell in their narratives.