Ir-rumanz Malti bejn l-1930 u l-1940

Abstract

The historical phases of the Maltese novel did not follow a rigid chronological order but rather old structures and conventions kept flourishing simultaneously with fresher and more audacious ideas. The major novelists of the thirties not only revised past norms but also anticipated future directions. The purpose of this dissertation is to supplant in a critical perspective such an affirmation. Thematic as well as stylistic considerations include monographicstudies of three key works by Gwann Mamo (Ulied in-Nanna Venut fl-.Amerika - 1930), Guze' Aquilina (Taht Tliet Saltniet - 1938) and Guze' Ellul Mercer (Leli ta' Haz- Zghir - 1938). Guze' Galea's two contributions (Zmien l-Ispanjoli - 1937 and San Gwann - 1938) are treated parallely as they share a common oeuvre. Another chapter assesses the merit of Wistin Born's Is-Salib tal-Fidda (1939) and Guze' Bonnici's Il-Qawwa ta' l-Imhabba (1938) and Helsien (1940), grouped together due to their similar literary orientation. An introductory chapter traces the contemporary political and social climate while in conclusion there are some reflections on the related cultural and intellectual atmosphere; both are undeniably significant as they mirror the literary output of the epoch.