Sibilla Aleramo
Sibilla Aleramo, born Rina Faccio on August 14, 1876, in Rome, was a prominent Italian writer and a significant figure in the early feminist movement. Raised primarily in Milan and later in the Marches, Aleramo's tumultuous early life included a forced marriage following a traumatic event, which deeply influenced her perspective on women's rights. She began her literary career in regional newspapers as a teenager, later gaining national recognition for her candid writings on gender issues, particularly through her seminal work, *Una donna*, which she published under her pen name. This novel, marked by its autobiographical elements, explored themes of personal liberation and the struggles of young womanhood, garnering both praise and criticism. Aleramo's poetry, emerging later in her career, reflects her passionate and liberated persona, often intertwining her identity with the forces of nature. Her extensive correspondence and relationships with notable literary figures of her time enriched her literary output, providing profound insights into the societal norms she challenged. Aleramo's legacy continues to resonate, offering valuable perspectives for contemporary discussions in feminism and literature.
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Subject Terms
Sibilla Aleramo
Writer
- Born: August 14, 1876
- Birthplace: Alessandria, Italy
- Died: January 13, 1960
Biography
Sibilla Aleramo was born Rina Faccio on August 14, 1876. Her parents, Ambrogio and Ernesta Faccio, lived in Rome. Her father was a science teacher and her mother a housewife. Aleramo spent much of her childhood in Milan until the family relocated to the Marches in southern Italy in 1888. During this time, her father managed a glass factory, where Aleramo worked as a bookkeeper. She became friendly with Ulderico Pierangeli, a clerk who worked for her father. Perierangeli apparently raped Aleramo, leading to a forced marriage in 1893. Aleramo was miserable in her marriage, and her mother’s attempted suicide, mental breakdown, and institutionalization had a profound effect on Aleramo. She gave birth to a son, Walter, in 1895, and is reported to have loved her son deeply.
As a teenager, Aleramo began publishing in regional newspapers. When her marriage turned sour, she began writing again, notably about the status and rights of women. Although her abusive husband would not permit her to leave the house, Aleramo achieved national status as a writer who championed women’s rights. In 1899, she assumed the directorship of a woman’s magazine. By 1901, her marriage had become intolerable, and she left her husband, who forced her to leave her son behind.
Aleramo moved to Rome, where she began a seven-year affair with noted editor and intellectual Giobanni Cena. He encouraged her to write her life story, published as the novel Una donna. It was with this book that she began using her pen name, Sibilla Aleramo. Moreover, it is this book with which she is most identified; she received both adulation and scathing criticism on the work. Some critics found it a true expression of young womanhood, while others found the content scandalous. In 1913, Aleramo began writing poetry, leading to the publication of a collection of her work in 1921. She continued to write and publish poetry for the rest of her life, and was connected with some of the most important Italian writers of her day, including Dino Campana, with whom she had a affair in 1916. The letters documenting their relationship are an important part of Aleramo’s canon.
Aleramo presented to the world the persona of the fully liberated, highly sexual woman. Her work is largely autobiographical, and draws on the many affairs she had over the years. Aleramo portrays herself in these poems as a magnetic and sensual being, someone deeply connected to nature and passion. Indeed, in some of her poems there seems to be a full identification of herself with the forces of nature. In addition, her memoirs, diaries, and letters reveal a deeply passionate woman who is committed to living her life fully. Her writing offers contemporary critics, historians, and feminists rich insight into the times in which she lived.