Italo Calvino’s “Invisible Cities” is a novel that has been widely acclaimed for its allegorical nature. The book was published in 1972 and has since become a classic in the literary world. The novel is a collection of descriptions of imaginary cities that are narrated by Marco Polo to Kublai Khan.
The novel’s allegorical nature is seen in the way that the cities described in the book represent various aspects of human experience. The book is not just a travelogue but a commentary on the human condition. The cities are used as metaphors for different emotions, desires, and experiences that people go through in life. The book is thus an exploration of the human psyche and the various facets of human experience.
Overview of ‘Invisible Cities’
‘Invisible Cities’ is a novel written by Italo Calvino, first published in 1972. The novel is an allegorical work of fiction that explores the nature of cities, their inhabitants, and the relationships between them. The novel is divided into nine chapters, each of which contains a series of descriptions of different cities.
The novel is framed as a conversation between the explorer Marco Polo and the emperor Kublai Khan. Marco Polo describes a series of imaginary cities, each of which is named after a woman. The cities are fantastical and imaginary, representing ideas and concepts rather than real places.
Throughout the novel, Calvino explores themes such as memory, identity, and the relationship between the individual and the collective. The novel is a meditation on the nature of cities and the ways in which they shape our lives, our identities, and our relationships with one another.
Decoding the Allegory
Marco Polo and Kublai Khan
In “Invisible Cities,” Marco Polo and Kublai Khan engage in a series of conversations about the cities Marco has visited. While the conversations may seem like simple travelogues, they are actually much more complex. Polo’s descriptions of the cities are meant to represent his views on society and human nature. Khan, on the other hand, represents the reader’s perspective.
City Descriptions as Metaphors
Each city described by Marco Polo is a metaphor for some aspect of life. For example, the city of Armilla, which is made entirely of string, represents the fragility of human relationships. The city of Isidora, which is constantly changing, represents the impermanence of life. By using these metaphors, Calvino is able to comment on the human condition in a way that is both thought-provoking and accessible.
Themes and Motifs
Throughout the book, Calvino explores themes such as memory, imagination, and the nature of reality. One of the most prominent motifs in the book is the idea of the city as a reflection of the human mind. Each city described by Marco Polo is a manifestation of his own thoughts and emotions. This idea is reinforced by the fact that the cities are all imaginary and exist only in Polo’s mind.
Literary Structure and Style
Narrative Framework
Invisible Cities is structured as a series of conversations between Marco Polo and Kublai Khan. The conversations are not linear, but instead jump between different cities and themes. This non-linear narrative structure allows Calvino to explore different ideas and themes without being constrained by a traditional plot. The cities that Marco Polo describes are not meant to be taken literally, but rather serve as allegories for different aspects of human experience.
Calvino’s Language and Imagery
Calvino’s language in Invisible Cities is poetic and evocative. He uses rich imagery to describe the cities that Marco Polo visits, painting vivid pictures in the reader’s mind. The cities themselves are often surreal and dreamlike, with impossible architecture and fantastical landscapes. Calvino’s use of language and imagery helps to create a sense of wonder and mystery throughout the book.
Calvino also employs a range of literary devices in Invisible Cities, including repetition, metaphor, and symbolism. These devices help to reinforce the book’s themes and create a sense of unity throughout the different sections. For example, the repeated descriptions of cities with women’s names suggest a connection between femininity and the imagination.
Philosophical Underpinnings
Existential Reflections
Invisible Cities is a philosophical novel that delves into the human condition and the concept of existence. Calvino uses the character of Marco Polo to explore the existential reflections on the nature of reality and the meaning of life. Through Polo’s descriptions of the fantastical cities, Calvino questions the concept of reality and the subjective nature of perception. The novel suggests that reality is not objective, but rather a product of our subjective experiences and perceptions.
Calvino also explores the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. The novel suggests that life is fleeting and that death is an inescapable part of the human experience. The cities described by Polo represent different stages of life, from birth to death. The novel suggests that life is a journey, and that we must embrace the fleeting moments of beauty and joy that we encounter along the way.
Cultural and Historical Context
Invisible Cities is a product of its cultural and historical context. The novel draws on the works of other philosophers and writers, such as Thomas More’s Utopia and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, as well as Guy Debord’s seminal 1967 philosophical work Society of the Spectacle. Calvino uses these works to comment on the societal and cultural issues of his time, such as the rise of consumerism and the alienation of the individual in modern society.
The novel also reflects the cultural and historical context of Italy in the 1970s. Italy was undergoing a period of social and political upheaval, with student protests and worker strikes challenging the traditional power structures. Calvino’s novel can be seen as a reflection of this cultural moment, with its emphasis on the individual and the subjective nature of reality.
Characters and Symbolism
Kublai Khan’s Empire
Kublai Khan is the emperor of a vast and powerful empire, but he is also an aging ruler who has grown weary of war and conquest. He relies on his envoy, Marco Polo, to bring him tales of the many cities within his realm. Through these stories, Kublai Khan explores his own ideas about power, civilization, and control. He realizes that his empire has grown too large and complex to be easily managed, and that he must rely on the loyalty of his subjects to maintain his rule. The cities described by Marco Polo are symbolic of the different aspects of Kublai Khan’s empire, and they reflect his own desires and fears.
Marco Polo’s Role
Marco Polo is the envoy and storyteller who brings tales of the many cities within Kublai Khan’s realm. He is a skilled observer and a master of description, and his stories are filled with vivid imagery and symbolism. Through his tales, Marco Polo reveals the many different aspects of Kublai Khan’s empire, from the opulent and decadent to the impoverished and neglected. He also reveals the many different ways in which people live and work within the empire, from the wealthy merchants and aristocrats to the humble farmers and laborers. Marco Polo’s role in the novel is both as a guide to the many cities within Kublai Khan’s realm and as a symbol of the power of storytelling and imagination.
Interpretations of the Cities
Memory and Desire
The cities described in Invisible Cities can be interpreted as manifestations of memory and desire. Each city embodies a unique aspect of the human experience, representing the different desires and memories that make up the human psyche. The city of Zobeide, for example, is a city of desire, where every street leads to a different pleasure. The city of Eutropia, on the other hand, is a city of memory, where the inhabitants are obsessed with the past and the preservation of history.
Death and the Afterlife
Another interpretation of the cities in Invisible Cities is that they represent different stages of the afterlife. The city of Adelma, for instance, is a city of the dead, where the inhabitants are ghosts who exist in a perpetual state of mourning. The city of Armilla, on the other hand, is a city of the living, where the inhabitants are obsessed with the present and the pursuit of pleasure.
Critical Reception and Impact
Italo Calvino’s “Invisible Cities” has received widespread critical acclaim since its publication in 1972. The novel has been praised for its imaginative use of language and its ability to transport readers to imaginary places. Many critics have also noted the allegorical nature of the novel, with some interpreting it as a commentary on the human condition.
The novel has had a significant impact on the literary world, with many writers citing it as an influence. Calvino’s use of language and his ability to create vivid imaginary worlds have inspired countless writers to push the boundaries of their own work.
Despite its critical success, “Invisible Cities” has not been without its detractors. Some critics have criticized the novel for its lack of plot and character development, arguing that it is more of a collection of loosely connected stories than a cohesive novel.