Lightness, rapidity, consistency: life and literature in Italo Calvino

Abstract

This paper analyzes three of the literary values given by Calvin in his Six propositions for the next millennium, contemplating their mutual relations: lightness, rapidity and consistency. The latter value could not be exposed by Calvin, who died before ending the book. Therefore a reconstruction is attempted from the material of Calvino's literary work (specifically, Baron Rampant) and what was said in previous conferences. The work of relating the three mentioned values to each other and to embody the value of consistency reveals some interesting relationships between biological life and literature as its essence is having a certain conatus (in the Spinozist sense), a certain organization that strives to persevere in being.