Evolving Concepts of Womanhood

Abstract

An animated debate on the woman question took place in the column “Donna + Amore + Bellezza” of L’Italia futurista, in response to the publication of Marinetti’s provocative handbook for the would-be Italian male seducer, Come si seducono le donne, in 1917.¹ In a broader context, this debate encapsulated wide-ranging social tensions stemming from an increased awareness of discriminatory laws, practices and ideas about gender, both in Italy and other industrialized countries.