La riflessione di Auerbach su Figura come paradigma indiziario e spunto generativo: Dante e il caso Proust (tutta un’altra Recherche)

Abstract

This paper re-examines the concept of figura, which is central to Auerbach’s Dantesstudien, also focusing on the criticism that has been levelled at the German philologist. It recognizes the plausibility of some of these critiques, while showing the groundlessness of others. Auerbach rightly asserted – against Croce’s ostracism – the fundamental role of allegory (or, as I believe it would be more accurate to define it, “trans-literal” interpretation), which is inseparable from poetry; he also masterfully traced the historical development of the term. However, he was maybe less incisive in his selection of examples that should explain the peculiarities of the typological symbolism in Dante’s work. This concept, borrowed from mystical exegesis, assumes great significance even in passages of the Commedia never analyzed in this light – such as the episode of Paolo and Francesca. Figura implies a surplus of meaning: beyond one character lies another character; beyond one story, another story. From the medieval novel through the roman à clé, this narrative strategy extends all the way to contemporary literature and to Proust: recognizing it means discovering an entirely different Recherche.