Sommario
La Plebe, Parte I by Vittorio Bersezio, published in 1869, is a social novel set in Turin, Italy, that delves into the harsh realities of the urban poor, exploring themes of poverty, social injustice, and the struggle for dignity.
The narrative begins on a foggy winter night in Turin’s impoverished “Torino vecchia” district, where the protagonist, an unnamed man of ambiguous age and worn appearance, navigates the grim streets.
His encounter with a shivering, hungry child selling matches sets the tone for the novel’s focus on the plight of the destitute.
This man, marked by a mix of compassion and detachment, takes the child to a seedy tavern to feed him, revealing his own familiarity with poverty and suffering.