Allegory and Derision

work by Pratolini

Also known as: “Allegoria e derisione”

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

"Allegory and Derision" is the final novel in Vasco Pratolini's "An Italian Story" series, published in 1966. This work focuses on the triumph and fall of Fascism, exploring the moral and intellectual struggles of Florentine intellectuals during that period.1

An allegory is a narrative that uses symbolic figures, objects, and actions to convey deeper meanings about human experience, often operating on multiple interpretive levels. Derision refers to the act of mocking or making fun of someone or something, or an object of such scorn.2345

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Vasco Pratolini
The final volume, Allegoria e derisione (1966; “Allegory and Derision”), deals with the triumph and fall of Fascism, focusing on the moral and intellectual conflicts of the Florentine intelligentsia.
Read More
The final volume, Allegoria e derisione (1966; “Allegory and Derision”), deals with the triumph and fall of Fascism, focusing on the moral and intellectual conflicts of the Florentine intelligentsia.
Read More