“L’Enfant génial” di Irène Némirovsky: il problema delle origini

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse Irene Nemirovsky's short story "L'Enfant genial", including the most simple and complex interpretations. Like a symbolic fairy tale, this text does not only represent the transition from adolescence to adulthood, but also epitomises the journey back to one's roots. The author employed a variety of literary genres that belong to the folkloristic and biblical heritage, but are here re-invented to ultimately depict the convoluted Jewish identity.