Alessandra Mirra

I received my undergraduate degree in Italian Literature from the University of Rome La Sapienza in 2004. My undergraduate thesis (Death in Leopardi’s Canti) was awarded first prize at the “Giacomo Leopardi” Competition. I then pursued graduate studies at the University of Macerata where I defended my thesis concerning Leopardi’s theory of tragic drama in 2008.

Although I have also published scholarly works on other authors such as D’Annunzio, Pascoli, and Gozzano, Leopardi has been the main focus of my research.  This tendency is driven by both scientific interest for his works as well as a deep, sincere passion for his words.

As a graduate student at Penn, I would like to continue to research Leopardi.  In particular, I would like to investigate his political thought. I plan on paying special attention to the connection between politics and literature, a subject frequently emphasized by Leopardi.

• E-mail: alemirra@sas.upenn.edu