"'The Liberal'... e oltre: il liberalismo al femminile di Mary Shelley"

This essay explores Mary Shelley’s contributions to "The Liberal", highlighting her unique perspective as the only female contributor. Shelley published three works in the periodical – a tale and two essays – which reflect her commitment to liberal ideals. However, while her works perfectly align with the political goals of The Liberal, which aimed to support libertarian movements in Southern Europe during the 1820s, Shelley also integrated gender perspectives into the periodical’s political discourse, advocating for women’s inclusion in the historical narrative. The analysis includes an examination of Shelley’s three contributions to "The Liberal": “A Tale of the Passions”, set in 13th-century Italy, and her pieces on Madame d’Houtetôt and Giovanni Villani. Furthermore, the essay addresses Shelley’s later works, particularly “The Bride of Modern Italy”, which was published anonymously in the London Magazine after her return to England and fed on her experience in Pisa. With its satirical tone, this tale critiques the practice of arranged marriages in Italy and reflects Shelley’s gender awareness. The essay also situates Shelley’s Pisan contributions within the broader context of her literary production and of her ongoing efforts to challenge patriarchal structures, highlight the destructive nature of power, and advocate for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to politics and life in general.