Retrieving or Revising? Using Mythology in Contemporary Italian Literature against Femicide

This article investigates two contemporary Italian novels treating femicide: Undicesimo comandamento (2011) by Elena Mearini and Padreterno (2015) Caterina Serra. It draws on feminist insights that consider practices of revising retrieving mythology as an opportunity to launch a process re-symbolisation, one capable challenging patriarchal discrimination violence. In particular, the examines Mearini’s decision rewrite Christian myth cross in order tell story woman annihilated her partner’s also explores Serra’s use Greek Aristaeus retrieve femicide told male offender who undergoes self-awareness. approaches these texts part impetus tackle lethal gender violence against women means literary representations storytelling.