The Woman of Rome : Narcissism, masochism, and bad faith in Moravia’s Adriana

Castelli, Alberto (2026) The Woman of Rome : Narcissism, masochism, and bad faith in Moravia’s Adriana. VERBUM: ANALECTA NEOLATINA, 27 (1). pp. 105-124. ISSN 1585-079X (nyomtatott); 1588-4309 (online)

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Abstract

Alberto Moravia’s novel The Woman of Rome centers on Adriana’s life, a down-to-earth someone who dreams of marriage but sinks into prostitution due to her mother’s interests and her own desperate pursuit of wealth and security. Moravia wants the reader to judge this character considering her sense of self-respect and independence. However, her behavior, prone to submission and masochism of sorts, imposes a different reading. Ultimately, the identification of Adriana as a figure of Sartrean bad faith, serves as a compelling commentary on the way we approach social determinism.

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