خشونت تدریجی راب نیکسون و بحران‌ محیط زیستی در رمان کوتاه مه‌دود ایتالو کالوینو

Introduction
 
This study aims to explore Rob Nixon’s concept of “slow violence” in relation to Italo Calvino’s novella, Smog (1958). It examines the significant role of the narrator/protagonist as an environmental writer-activist who resists the impacts of slow violence. The narrator, who works for a journal dedicated to articles on air pollution, seeks to raise public awareness and instill a sense of responsibility regarding environmental disasters through his essays. While Smog has been analyzed from various critical perspectives, it has not yet been examined through the lens of Nixon’s concept of slow violence. This article argues that, along with the crucial role of narration/writing in highlighting the consequences of environmental crisis, the element of time is likewise very significant in revealing the effects of environmental catastrophes. If people, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, are not informed in a timely manner, they may become resigned to the impacts of slow violence and, consequently, adopt socially and environmentally irresponsible behaviors. The findings indicate that resisting the consequences of slow violence in the context of neoliberalism is challenging. On one hand, governments, corporations, and politicians often deny or downplay the seriousness of the climate crisis. On the other hand, ordinary people may remain unaware of the issues due to ignorance. Despite lacking support from both the government and the public, the narrator optimistically continues to resist these forces by writing about the violence and environmental injustice associated with slow violence.
Background of the study
 
Italo Calvino (1923-1985) was a prominent twentieth-century Italian journalist and novelist who wrote about the environmental challenges of man in the modern era. Smog is among his noted works, which depicts environmental fallout on the lives of the poor. Upon arriving to the city, the narrator becomes aware of the significant challenges posed by smog and dust pollution in the area. Recognizing the source of the pollution as radioactivity, he actively works to raise awareness by publishing critical information in the journal.
Methodology
 
Rob Nixon (1954) is a South African environmentalist. In his book, Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor (2011), he differentiates the conventional forms of violence such as volcanoes, avalanches, and tsunamis from “slow violence.”  Toxic drift, climate change, pollution, the radioactive aftermaths of wars, deforestation, are among the variants of slow violence whose catastrophic effect is gradual, invisible, and cumulative. As Nixon observes, these crises frequently fail to attract the public attention and media coverage they deserve, making them difficult to identify, represent, and transform into political action. What mainly concerns Nixon is that the repercussions of slow violence targets poor people who have no voice in the society to defend themselves against these calamities. Nixon argues that cultural activities, particularly literature, can serve as a powerful tool to help these individuals be heard.
Conclusion
 
The findings reveal the frightening challenges of contesting the silent effects of slow violence in the context of neoliberalism in Calvino’s Smog. Calvino criticizes irresponsibility of both governmental organization who deny gravity of the climate crisis and people’s environmental and social carelessness. As Nixon emphasizes, slow violence has “intergenerational” fallout. It is our responsiblty to leave a clean environment to future generations. Calvino’s narrator, as a passionate environmental writer-activist, feels the responsibility in enlightening people about the repercussions of slow violence. Despite his utter disappointment, the image of a little girl sitting on top of the dirty clothes bags reading a book encourages him to commemorate more signs and symbols for the enlightenment of the younger generation.