Venetian Life by William Dean Howells
"Venetian Life" by William Dean Howells is a travel narrative written during the late 19th century that captures the essence of life in Venice as experienced by the author over three years. The work reflects Howells' observations and insights into the city's charm, complexities, and political discontent, revealing a Venice that contrasts sharply with the romanticized versions often depicted in literature. The narrative oscillates between the beautiful allure of the city and
its somber, decaying elements, painting a vivid portrait of both its picturesque scenes and the underlying social and political tensions. The opening of the work sets the stage with Howells’ reflections inspired by a visit to a theater in Padua, leading him to draw parallels between the theatrical performance and his experiences in Venice. Howells describes his arrival in the city with a sense of wonder mixed with premonitions of its troubled historical and contemporary context. He evokes the initial magical allure of Venice—the canals, the majestic architecture, and the unique urban landscape—while also hinting at the city's more gritty realities, such as poverty and the oppressive rule of the Austrians over the Venetians. He presents Venice not just as a visual delight but as a multifaceted space that serves as a stage for its inhabitants, caught between beauty and hardship—a theme that will likely permeate the rest of the narrative. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Howells, William Dean, 1837-1920 |
|---|---|
| Title | Venetian Life |
| Note | Reading ease score: 56.3 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read. |
| Contents | Venice in Venice -- Arrival and first days in Venice -- The winter in Venice -- Comincia far caldo -- Opera and theatres -- Venetian dinners and diners -- Housekeeping in Venice -- The balcony on the Grand Canal -- A day-break ramble -- The Mouse -- Churches and pictures -- Some islands of the lagoons -- The Armenians -- The Ghetto and the Jews of Venice -- Some memorable places -- Commerce -- Venetian holidays -- Christmas holidays -- Love-making and marrying; baptisms and burials -- Venetian traits and characters -- Society -- Our last year in Venice. |
| Credits | Eric Eldred, Charles Franks, David Widger and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | DG: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: Italy, Vatican City, Malta |
| Subject | Venice (Italy) -- Description and travel |
| Subject | Howells, William Dean, 1837-1920 -- Travel -- Italy -- Venice |
| Subject | Venice (Italy) -- Social life and customs |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 7083 |
| Release Date | Dec 1, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated | Aug 8, 2021 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 342 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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