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Verismo (literature) Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Italian Literary Verismo: Origins, Characteristics, and Influence

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Italian Literary Verismo: Origins, Characteristics, and Influence Study Guide

Verismo: Definition and Core Principles

The Italian literary movement known as Verismo translates directly from Italian to mean 'realism'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The term 'Verismo' derives from the Italian word 'vero,' meaning 'true,' signifying a literary approach dedicated to depicting reality with accuracy and authenticity.

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The peak period for the Verismo literary movement was roughly from 1900 to 1920.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Verismo literary movement reached its zenith approximately between 1875 and the early 1900s.

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The Verismo movement originated in the late 19th century, specifically between 1875 and 1895.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Verismo movement emerged in Italy during the late 19th century, with its formative period generally placed between 1875 and 1895.

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Verismo was formally structured as a distinct literary school with official membership.

Answer: False

Explanation: Verismo did not constitute a formal literary school with official membership; rather, it was characterized by a shared set of principles followed by its practitioners.

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The four core principles of canonical Verismo include maintaining an impersonal form and studying society from lowest to highest classes.

Answer: True

Explanation: Canonical Verismo principles include maintaining an impersonal form, ensuring appropriate language and style, studying society comprehensively from lowest to highest classes, and employing a scientific method.

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The root word 'vero' in Verismo relates to the concept of 'falsehood' or 'untruth'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The root word 'vero' in Italian means 'true,' underscoring the Verismo movement's commitment to depicting reality accurately and truthfully in literature.

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Verismo aimed to study modern Italy comprehensively, from the lowest to the highest social classes.

Answer: True

Explanation: A core aim of Verismo was to conduct a comprehensive study of modern Italian society, examining life and social strata from the lowest levels up to the highest.

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What does the Italian term 'Verismo' translate to in the context of literature?

Answer: Realism

Explanation: The Italian term 'Verismo' translates directly to 'realism,' reflecting the movement's commitment to depicting life truthfully and authentically.

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During which approximate period did the Verismo literary movement reach its zenith?

Answer: 1875 to the early 1900s

Explanation: The Verismo literary movement reached its peak period approximately between 1875 and the early 1900s.

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Verismo did not constitute a formal literary school, but rather was characterized by:

Answer: A shared set of principles followed by its practitioners.

Explanation: Verismo did not form a formal literary school but was unified by a shared adherence to specific principles among its practitioners.

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How did Verismo's approach to authorial perspective differ from French Naturalism?

Answer: Verismo sought to incorporate the reader's viewpoint without explicit authorial opinion.

Explanation: Verismo's authorial perspective aimed to integrate the reader's viewpoint on the subject matter, striving to avoid the explicit revelation of the author's personal opinions.

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Which of the following is NOT one of the four core principles of canonical Verismo mentioned in the source?

Answer: Prioritizing fantastical and allegorical themes.

Explanation: Canonical Verismo principles focused on realism, impersonality, appropriate style, and comprehensive social study; prioritizing fantastical or allegorical themes was contrary to its tenets.

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What does the root word 'vero' in the term Verismo signify?

Answer: Truth

Explanation: The root word 'vero' in Italian means 'true,' highlighting the Verismo movement's core commitment to depicting reality with accuracy and truthfulness.

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Which of the following statements accurately describes Verismo's approach to language and style?

Answer: Language and style were expected to be appropriate to the subject matter.

Explanation: A key principle of Verismo was that the language and style of a literary work must accord with its subject matter, reflecting the environment and social class depicted.

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The Verismo movement's commitment to depicting life truthfully and authentically aligns with the meaning of its root word, which is:

Answer: 'Vero' (True)

Explanation: The root word 'vero' in Italian means 'true,' highlighting the Verismo movement's core commitment to depicting reality with accuracy and truthfulness.

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Origins, Influences, and Methodology

Verismo's philosophical basis was identical to French Naturalism, emphasizing scientific objectivity and social usefulness.

Answer: False

Explanation: Verismo's philosophical underpinnings diverged from French Naturalism; key Verismo figures rejected the emphasis on scientific objectivity and social utility often found in Naturalism.

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The emergence of Verismo was influenced by the positivist climate prevalent in the late 19th century.

Answer: True

Explanation: The positivist climate, characterized by a strong faith in science and empirical research, significantly influenced the emergence and development of the Verismo movement.

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French Naturalism, exemplified by writers like Émile Zola, served as a direct precursor and influence for Verismo.

Answer: True

Explanation: French Naturalism, with its focus on objective representation and scientific analysis of society, served as a direct precursor and significant influence for the Italian Verismo movement.

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French Naturalist writers believed literature should be subjective and focus on idealized portrayals of society.

Answer: False

Explanation: French Naturalist writers aimed for objective, scientific portrayal of society, including its less pleasant aspects, rather than subjective or idealized representations.

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Verismo, unlike French Naturalism, openly revealed the author's personal opinions within the narrative.

Answer: False

Explanation: Verismo, particularly in the works of its key figures, sought to incorporate the reader's viewpoint without explicitly revealing the author's personal opinions, aligning with a principle of impersonality.

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Verismo's scientific method was influenced by determinist criteria theorized by authors like Cesare Lombroso.

Answer: True

Explanation: The scientific methodology adopted by Verismo was influenced by determinist criteria, particularly those theorized by positivist authors such as Cesare Lombroso.

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Verismo writers like Verga and Capuana embraced the French Naturalist idea that literature must have scientific validity.

Answer: False

Explanation: Verga and Capuana distinguished themselves from French Naturalists by rejecting the notion that literature must possess scientific validity or serve a direct social utility.

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What aspect of Verismo's scientific method involved studying the environment?

Answer: True

Explanation: A key principle of Verismo's scientific method was the study of the environment, encompassing social, economic, and geographical contexts, to achieve a thorough understanding of modern Italian life.

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How did the philosophical underpinnings of Verismo differ from French Naturalism?

Answer: Verismo rejected the scientific objectivity and social usefulness often found in Naturalism.

Explanation: Verismo's philosophical underpinnings diverged from French Naturalism; key Verismo figures rejected the emphasis on scientific objectivity and social utility often found in Naturalism.

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The intellectual climate that significantly influenced Verismo's emergence was characterized by:

Answer: Positivism and a strong faith in science.

Explanation: The emergence of Verismo was significantly influenced by the positivist climate of the late 19th century, which emphasized scientific inquiry and empirical observation.

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Which French literary movement served as a direct precursor and major influence for Verismo?

Answer: Naturalism

Explanation: French Naturalism served as a direct precursor and major influence for the Italian Verismo movement, sharing a commitment to objective representation.

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French Naturalist writers aimed to portray society in literature:

Answer: Objectively, akin to a photograph, including less pleasant aspects.

Explanation: French Naturalist writers aimed for objective portrayal of society, akin to a photograph, including its less pleasant aspects, with a scientific approach.

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Verismo's scientific method was influenced by determinist criteria theorized by which notable figure?

Answer: Cesare Lombroso

Explanation: The scientific methodology adopted by Verismo was influenced by determinist criteria, particularly those theorized by positivist authors such as Cesare Lombroso.

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What was the core belief of French Naturalist writers regarding literature's role in society?

Answer: To objectively portray society and humanity scientifically.

Explanation: French Naturalist writers believed literature should objectively portray society and humanity scientifically, aiming for a truthful representation of modern life.

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Key Figures and Their Contributions

Giovanni Verga, Luigi Capuana, and Federico De Roberto are considered the main figures of Verismo.

Answer: True

Explanation: The primary exponents of the Verismo literary movement are recognized as the Sicilian writers Giovanni Verga, Luigi Capuana, and Federico De Roberto.

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Luigi Capuana's novel *Giacinta* is recognized as the foundational 'manifesto' of Italian Verismo.

Answer: True

Explanation: Luigi Capuana's novel *Giacinta* is widely regarded as the foundational 'manifesto' of the Italian Verismo movement.

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Grazia Deledda is recognized for her Verismo works focusing on life in Sardinia.

Answer: True

Explanation: Grazia Deledda, a prominent writer associated with Verismo, is celebrated for her literary depictions of life and culture in Sardinia.

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Emilio De Marchi attempted to integrate the tradition of Alessandro Manzoni with Verismo, focusing on the lower middle class.

Answer: True

Explanation: Emilio De Marchi, active in Lombardy, sought to reconcile the literary tradition of Alessandro Manzoni with Verismo, particularly in his focus on the lower middle class.

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Giovanni Verga's stage adaptation of *Cavalleria rusticana* was significant for establishing veristic drama and was a triumph for Eleonora Duse.

Answer: True

Explanation: Giovanni Verga's 1884 stage adaptation of *Cavalleria rusticana* was pivotal in establishing veristic drama and marked a significant personal triumph for the actress Eleonora Duse.

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Giovanni Verga transitioned to Verismo after initially writing exclusively in the Naturalist style.

Answer: False

Explanation: Giovanni Verga initially belonged to the late Romantic literary movement before transitioning to Verismo, rather than exclusively writing in the Naturalist style beforehand.

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The primary Verismo exponents like Verga and Capuana were originally from Northern Italy.

Answer: False

Explanation: The principal exponents of Verismo, including Giovanni Verga, Luigi Capuana, and Federico De Roberto, hailed from Sicily, which is in Southern Italy.

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Lorenzo Stecchetti (Olindo Guerrini) contributed to Verismo poetry by adopting a deliberately prosaic style when writing about the bourgeoisie.

Answer: False

Explanation: Lorenzo Stecchetti (Olindo Guerrini) contributed to Verismo poetry by deliberately employing shocking themes and styles, often erotic or social, rather than a prosaic style about the bourgeoisie, which was more characteristic of Vittorio Betteloni.

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Which Verismo writer is associated with establishing veristic drama through a stage adaptation?

Answer: True

Explanation: Giovanni Verga is associated with establishing veristic drama through his significant stage adaptation of *Cavalleria rusticana*.

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Who are considered the principal exponents of the Verismo literary movement?

Answer: Giovanni Verga, Luigi Capuana, Federico De Roberto

Explanation: The principal exponents of the Verismo literary movement are widely recognized as the Sicilian writers Giovanni Verga, Luigi Capuana, and Federico De Roberto.

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Which novel is widely regarded as the foundational 'manifesto' of Italian Verismo?

Answer: Luigi Capuana's *Giacinta*

Explanation: Luigi Capuana's novel *Giacinta* holds significant importance as it is widely regarded as the 'manifesto' of the Italian Verismo movement.

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Grazia Deledda, a Verismo writer, is particularly known for her depictions of life in which Italian region?

Answer: Sardinia

Explanation: Grazia Deledda, a prominent writer associated with Verismo, is celebrated for her literary depictions of life and culture in Sardinia.

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Emilio De Marchi, working in Lombardy, attempted to blend Verismo principles with the literary tradition of which earlier Italian author?

Answer: Alessandro Manzoni

Explanation: Emilio De Marchi, active in Lombardy, sought to reconcile the literary tradition of Alessandro Manzoni with Verismo, particularly in his focus on the lower middle class.

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Giovanni Verga's stage adaptation of which work was significant for establishing veristic drama?

Answer: *Cavalleria rusticana*

Explanation: Giovanni Verga's 1884 stage adaptation of *Cavalleria rusticana* was pivotal in establishing veristic drama.

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Who is credited with first theorizing the concept of the 'poetry of the real' within the Verismo movement?

Answer: Luigi Capuana

Explanation: Luigi Capuana is credited as the first theorist of Italian Verismo, articulating the concept of the 'poetry of the real'.

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Which Verismo writer is known for attempting to reconcile Alessandro Manzoni's literary tradition with Verismo, particularly concerning the lower middle class?

Answer: Emilio De Marchi

Explanation: Emilio De Marchi, active in Lombardy, sought to reconcile the literary tradition of Alessandro Manzoni with Verismo, particularly in his focus on the lower middle class.

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Lorenzo Stecchetti (Olindo Guerrini) contributed to Verismo poetry through:

Answer: Deliberate attempts to shock readers with erotic and social themes.

Explanation: Lorenzo Stecchetti (Olindo Guerrini) contributed to Verismo poetry by deliberately employing shocking themes and styles, often erotic or social.

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What was the significance of Eleonora Duse's performance in Verismo drama?

Answer: It was a personal triumph for her and helped establish veristic drama.

Explanation: Eleonora Duse's performance in Giovanni Verga's *Cavalleria rusticana* was a personal triumph for her and helped establish the success of veristic drama.

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Which of the following poets, associated with Verismo, explored erotic and social themes with a deliberately shocking style?

Answer: Lorenzo Stecchetti (Olindo Guerrini)

Explanation: Lorenzo Stecchetti (Olindo Guerrini) contributed to Verismo poetry by deliberately employing shocking themes and styles, often erotic or social.

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Thematic and Stylistic Characteristics

Verismo placed less emphasis on stylistic aspects compared to the scientific accuracy prioritized by French Naturalism.

Answer: False

Explanation: Verismo placed a significant emphasis on stylistic elements, often prioritizing them alongside or even above the strict scientific accuracy emphasized by French Naturalism.

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Verismo commonly depicted urban environments and manual workers, similar to French Naturalism.

Answer: False

Explanation: Verismo typically focused on the peasantry and provincial life, contrasting with French Naturalism's frequent depiction of urban environments and manual workers.

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How did Verismo's stylistic approach differ from that of French Naturalism?

Answer: True

Explanation: Verismo placed a greater emphasis on stylistic elements and often focused on the peasantry and provincial life, whereas French Naturalism tended to prioritize scientific accuracy and depict manual workers and urban environments.

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Compared to French Naturalism, Verismo tended to focus more on which social groups and settings?

Answer: The peasantry and provincial life.

Explanation: Verismo typically focused on the peasantry and provincial life, contrasting with French Naturalism's frequent depiction of urban environments and manual workers.

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Geographical and Artistic Connections

D. H. Lawrence was an English author influenced by Verismo who translated works by Giovanni Verga.

Answer: True

Explanation: The English author D. H. Lawrence was significantly influenced by Italian Verismo and undertook the translation of several works by Giovanni Verga into English.

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Milan was a key Italian city where Verismo found fertile ground for cultural development.

Answer: True

Explanation: Milan served as a significant hub for the cultural development of Verismo, fostering its growth through its vibrant urban intellectual life.

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Verismo works primarily depicted life in Northern Italy, such as Lombardy and Piedmont.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Verismo developed in Milan, its works frequently depicted life in central and southern Italy, including regions like Sicily, Sardinia, and Naples.

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Albert Boime observed stylistic similarities between Giovanni Verga's writing and the macchia technique of the Macchiaioli painters.

Answer: True

Explanation: Art historian Albert Boime noted stylistic parallels between Giovanni Verga's prose and the 'macchia' technique of the Macchiaioli painters, particularly in their shared interest in topographical exactitude.

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Gabriele D'Annunzio's early novels, such as *Terra vergine*, showed no significant Verismo influence.

Answer: False

Explanation: Gabriele D'Annunzio's early novels, including *Terra vergine* and *Novelle della Pescara*, demonstrated a significant influence from the Verismo movement.

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Milan served as a hub for Verismo, fostering its growth through its vibrant urban cultural life.

Answer: True

Explanation: Milan was a crucial center for Verismo, where its vibrant urban cultural life provided a fertile ground for the movement's development and dissemination.

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Albert Boime noted similarities between Verga's writing and the Macchiaioli painters' use of color.

Answer: False

Explanation: Albert Boime observed similarities between Verga's writing and the Macchiaioli painters concerning their sentence structure, rhythm, and topographical exactitude, not specifically their use of color.

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The cross-fertilization between Verismo and the Scapigliatura movement occurred primarily in which region of Italy?

Answer: True

Explanation: The cross-fertilization between Verismo and the Scapigliatura movement primarily occurred in Northern Italy, particularly within the cultural milieu of Lombardy.

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Which English author translated works by Giovanni Verga and was influenced by Italian Verismo?

Answer: D. H. Lawrence

Explanation: The English author D. H. Lawrence was significantly influenced by Italian Verismo and undertook the translation of several works by Giovanni Verga into English.

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Which Italian city was a significant hub for the cultural development and growth of Verismo?

Answer: Milan

Explanation: Milan served as a significant hub for the cultural development of Verismo, fostering its growth through its vibrant urban intellectual life.

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While Verismo developed in Milan, its works frequently depicted life in which regions of Italy?

Answer: Primarily Central and Southern Italy, including Sicily and Naples.

Explanation: Although Verismo developed in Milan, its literary works frequently depicted life in central and southern Italy, notably Sicily, Sardinia, and Naples.

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Albert Boime noted stylistic similarities between Giovanni Verga's writing and the Macchiaioli painters concerning:

Answer: Their sentence structure, rhythm, and topographical exactitude.

Explanation: Art historian Albert Boime observed similarities between Giovanni Verga's prose and the 'macchia' technique of the Macchiaioli painters, particularly concerning their sentence structure, rhythm, and topographical exactitude.

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Gabriele D'Annunzio's early novels, *Terra vergine* and *Novelle della Pescara*, demonstrated significant influence from which literary movement?

Answer: Verismo

Explanation: Gabriele D'Annunzio's early novels, including *Terra vergine* and *Novelle della Pescara*, demonstrated a significant influence from the Verismo movement.

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According to Albert Boime, what quality did Giovanni Verga's writing share with the Macchiaioli painters?

Answer: An interest in topographical exactitude.

Explanation: Art historian Albert Boime observed similarities between Giovanni Verga's prose and the 'macchia' technique of the Macchiaioli painters, particularly concerning their sentence structure, rhythm, and topographical exactitude.

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Legacy and Critical Reception

Luigi Alberti criticized Verismo for its focus on uplifting and idealized themes.

Answer: False

Explanation: Critic Luigi Alberti objected to Verismo, believing it corrupted young minds by focusing excessively on the 'ugly, mean, and vulgar' aspects of reality, not on uplifting themes.

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Traces of Verismo poetics can be found in the later works of Luigi Pirandello and Federigo Tozzi.

Answer: False

Explanation: Traces of Verismo poetics are more commonly found in the *early* works of Luigi Pirandello and Federigo Tozzi, not their later writings.

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Federico De Roberto's work influenced Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's novel *The Leopard*.

Answer: True

Explanation: The work of Federico De Roberto, a significant Verismo writer, is noted to have influenced Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's renowned novel *The Leopard*.

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Verismo had a significant influence on the later Italian literary movement known as Italian Neorealism.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Verismo movement exerted a substantial influence on Italian Neorealism, a subsequent literary and cinematic movement that emerged in the mid-20th century.

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Verismo's approach to authorial perspective sought to incorporate the reader's viewpoint without explicitly revealing the author's personal opinions.

Answer: True

Explanation: Verismo's authorial perspective aimed to integrate the reader's viewpoint on the subject matter, striving to avoid the explicit revelation of the author's personal opinions.

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Which critic objected to Verismo, believing it corrupted youth by focusing on the 'ugly, mean, and vulgar'?

Answer: Luigi Alberti

Explanation: Critic Luigi Alberti objected to Verismo, believing it corrupted young minds by focusing excessively on the 'ugly, mean, and vulgar' aspects of reality.

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Traces of Verismo poetics can be found in the early works of which Italian authors?

Answer: Luigi Pirandello and Federigo Tozzi

Explanation: Traces of Verismo poetics are found in the early works of Luigi Pirandello and Federigo Tozzi, indicating the movement's lasting influence.

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The Verismo movement exerted a notable influence on which later Italian literary and cultural movement?

Answer: Italian Neorealism

Explanation: The Verismo movement exerted a substantial influence on Italian Neorealism, a subsequent literary and cinematic movement that emerged in the mid-20th century.

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What was the primary objection raised by critic Luigi Alberti against the Verismo movement?

Answer: It corrupted young minds by focusing excessively on negative aspects of reality.

Explanation: Critic Luigi Alberti objected to Verismo, believing it corrupted young minds by focusing excessively on the 'ugly, mean, and vulgar' aspects of reality.

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Which Verismo writer's work is noted to have influenced Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's novel *The Leopard*?

Answer: Federico De Roberto

Explanation: The work of Federico De Roberto, a significant Verismo writer, is noted to have influenced Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's renowned novel *The Leopard*.

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