Migrations in postcolonial Italian literature: Quali-quantitative analysis in a social representation framework

Abstract

Published studies on social representations of migration in the media offer two pictures that have become crystallized over time. On the one hand, migration is constructed as a social threat for hosting countries; on the other, victimization of migrants is emphasized. This study aims to investigate how literary texts written by the protagonists of migratory experiences contribute to creating a possible alternative view of migrants. The results highlight a tension in the discourse on migration. They show that this literature conveys different worldviews, which can be arranged in two macro-groups. Narratives of victimization emerge, but are counterbalanced by narratives of resilience, post-traumatic growth, and the ability to react and cope with difficulties, and also by narrative of resistance oriented toward ensuring the recognition of the identity of second-generation Italians. This contribution concludes with reflections on the pragmatic value of conducting psychosocial research on literary texts.