Autobiografia come discorso apologetico. L’esempio della Vita di Pietro Giannone

Abstract

This paper seeks to describe how Pietro Giannone, a lawyer and representative of the Neapolitan Enlightenment articulates apologetically in his autobiography Vita in defence of accusations of heresy raised against at him by the Congregation of the Holy Office. Framing the autobiography in the historical and cultural context, the paper will analyse the content of his work and the way in which the narrator protagonist recounts his life and relationship with the outside world, especially with the antagonists, the traitors and the environment of the imperial court of Vienna where he stays for eleven years. It will also show the concept the author has of himself and how he realises the autopoiesis and construction of his literary identity.