Metamorfosi dell'immagine dei Tartari nella letteratura europea del '900

The aim of this doctoral dissertation is to analyse the evolution of the image of Tartars in European literature in German, English, French and Italian language of the Twentieth century through the study of three figures: the Mongolian horde, Gengis-khan and Khoubilaï-khan. It advances the thesis that, with the help of some historical and cultural factors during the Twentieth century such as the transformation of the concept of barbarity, the rise of totalitarianisms, the opening of Mongolia to the West, the rediscovery of the Secret History of the Mongols and the fortune of Le divisament dou monde, the literary image of Gengis-khan and his following turns from negative to positive. This case study is comprised of an introduction, three chapters and a concluding statement. In the introduction, we analyse the birth of the image of the Tartars and its evolution up until the end of the Nineteenth century, we define the historical and cultural factors that caused the shift of its meaning and present the work. In the first chapter, we take into consideration the portrayal of Tartars in Twentieth century literature, comparing it with the manner they were represented in contemporary art. In the following chapter, we analyse the way Tartars interacted with others in society through Twentieth century literary texts. Said texts are presented again in the final chapter, in which they are yet again used to study the locations in which Tartars roamed. Finally, the data acquired from these studies is compared and interpreted. The change for the better of the Tartars’ image goes hand in hand with a new Europe which, after having been through two worldwide wars, having witnessed the claims of decolonization and after having digested the Freudian concept of « civilisation and its discontents », rethinks its own concept of barbarity and Otherness.