LA GIARA DI LUIGI PIRANDELLO TRA UMORISMO E IRONIA
"LA GIARA" OF LUIGI PIRANDELLO, BETWEEN HUMORISM AND IRONY

Summary/Abstract: “The Jar” is a short story written in 1906 by Luigi Pirandello. The story takes place in the Sicilian countryside during the olive harvest. Don Lollò Zirafa, a pretentious wealthy and cantankerous landowner who plans an exceptional harvest, acquires a huge jar bigger than the ones he already possesses. He imagines it already full of oil. Hence, he inspects the work of his workers by threatening and swearing to kill anyone who dares not to complete his task! The unthinkable happens: the brand new jar, waiting in the reserve broke. The break is frank and important. The three of his day workers discover the wrongdoing, warn him. Don Lollo’s harsh reaction didn’t make to wait. After he calms down, he agrees to rely on Zi Dima Licasi, a competent terracotta container repairer and inventor of a patented miracle sealant. This product would, no doubt, alone, could have wound the jar, but was without rely on the distrust and suspicion of Don Lollò Zirafa, who insists that the craftsman consolidates the break with an iron wire. The craftsman gives in to the stubborn owner and began to work. First, the putty, then, the points. To do this, it is placed inside the huge vase and begins to sew with the help of a peasant. By the end of the tragicomic takes place: Di Zima cannot get out of the jar. He is imprisoned there while he repaired it himself! And the only solution for him is to get out of there is to break it again. We inform Don Lollò who, furious, and as usual in case of dispute with others, decides to go to his lawyer. He cannot stop laughing at the strange request of his client and advise him to release the craftsman otherwise he runs the risk of being prosecuted for kidnapping. Don Lollò negotiates an agreement with the craftsman: he agrees to pay him the repair but provided that the latter agrees to compensate him for the value of the jar. To be “clean” vis-à-vis the law, Zirafa pays his share of market and ensure that “the prisoner” has food and drink. The craftsman refuses the proposal and offers a drink and a smoke to the peasants and the night turns into party in the nose of the rich owner who, in the early morning, furious, gives a violent kick to the jar that breaks. Zi Dima is free and winner!

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