The function of church in Deleddian novels

This paper focuses on the author Grazia Deledda, a significant figure not only in the literature of the 19th and 20th century but also an important factor in the promotion of tourism on the island of Sardinia, where many visitors seek to explore the locations described in her works. Grazia Deledda was the first Italian woman and the second in the world to ever win a Nobel Prize. In the writer’s works, particularly in the “deleddian world”, religious structures are a distinctive feature as a symbol of the spiritual cult, as well as a background element. The study centers on the churches described by Deledda, highlighting their role and significance within her literary works. The article brings into focus the legends of these ancient churches, as well as the style and architecture of each and every one of them. Moreover, the religious aspect is a fundamental element in Grazia Deledda’s works, where God’s calling is depicted through the characters’ ascetic lives. The author has been considered a biblical figure and she exhibits a strong connection to Catholicism, the presence of God and the blame-sin-redemption triangle. The analysis of these works highlights the fact that the religious structures mentioned in the novels represent symbols filled with implications and hidden truths, often dark, frightening, and loaded with sin.