This article examines Rob Nixon’s concept of “slow violence” in the context of climate change and environmental degradation, particularly through the lens of literature. It highlights Italo Calvino’s novella Smog (1958) to demonstrate how literature can reflect environmental crises and raise public awareness. As the neoliberal economic system has expanded, developed countries have relocated their factories to poorer nations, profiting from these operations while harming the environment in those regions. This practice enriches developed nations at the expense of impoverished societies, which suffer significant environmental damage. Often, the victims of these environmental crises lack a platform in the media to voice their concerns, advocate for their rights, or seek compensation. In this neoliberal framework, poorer countries, despite their involvement in the global economy, face numerous environmental and humanitarian challenges, while developed countries largely evade the consequences. Nixon characterizes slow violence as a gradual, invisible, and cumulative form of violence that does not manifest suddenly. Instead, it subtly harms individuals, the environment, and future generations over time. 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. Nixon emphasizes that this form of violence presents significant challenges for narrative and representation, as there is often no single catastrophic event to capture public interest. He argues that cultural activities, particularly literature, play a crucial role in highlighting these subtle, erosive events.
In Calvino’s Smog, the protagonist, a newcomer to the city, takes on the role of an editor for a journal called Purificazione (Purification). Upon arriving, he becomes aware of the significant challenges posed by smog and dust pollution in the area. Engaging with the journal’s officials and local politicians, he uncovers a troubling reality: while they publicly assert their commitment to combating smog, they often downplay the seriousness of the situation. Recognizing the source of the pollution as radioactivity, the protagonist feels a strong sense of responsibility to inform the public. He actively works to raise awareness by publishing critical information in the journal, aiming to promote a more informed and proactive approach to environmental issues in the city.
While various scholars have analyzed Calvino’s Smog from multiple critical perspectives, there is an opportunity to explore it through the lens of environmental violence. This study aims to utilize Nixon’s concept of slow violence to delve into Calvino’s Smog, highlighting the vital role literature plays in depicting climate crises and addressing the mechanisms of denial, concealment, and individual resistance to these issues. By demonstrating the significant potential of literary works to convey environmental crises, evoke emotional responses, and foster a sense of global responsibility, this article emphasizes the importance of amplifying the voices of marginalized groups affected by ecological disasters. Literature can serve as a powerful tool to help these individuals be heard, understood, and empowered to reclaim their rights. In alignment with Nixon’s notion of slow violence, we encourage the integration of environmental literature into educational curricula from the elementary level onward. This approach can help shape students’ perspectives and deepen their understanding of climate issues, ultimately fostering a more environmentally conscious and responsible future generation.