1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«This doctoral dissertation examines the impact of migration experienced by migrants to Canada and loved ones in Italy through the lens of personal correspondence.» (p.iii)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«The study addresses two main research questions: First, what do the private letters of individuals reveal about the impact of migration experienced by Italian migrants in Canada and their kin and lovers who remainded in Italy during the postwar years? Second, what strategies and social, cultural and emotional responses to migration do the letters reveal from the viewpoint of these actors?» (p.iii)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
Plus de 400 lettres privées appartenant à six familles, rédigées au cours des trois décennies suivant la Deuxième Guerre mondiale.

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

«Through a detailed analysis of over 400 private letters belonging to six families, the thesis examines how kin and lovers in Canada and Italy negotiated their separation as a result of migration. [...] The thesis offers a twofold analysis of the letters. First, it examines the functional role of the letters and their materiality as objects that served to bridge distances between family members and lovers by communicating information, news, advice and affection. Second, the thesis analyzes the contents of the letters by focusing on three characteristic themes. First, it reveals the importance of kinship in migration and examines how networks of support and control were exerted through the medium of letters. Second, it shows how the realities of migration were constructed and experienced according to gender norms. Finally, the thesis demonstrates the extraordinary range and intensity of emotions that characterized letter-writes’ responses to migration and the experience of separation from family and loved ones. The thesis provides additional evidence for the obvious point that migration had an enormous impact on the lives of migrants and their families.» (pp.iii-iv)