Infinite Limits

Intro to Lightness

          Calvino explores several definitions for lightness including “a lightening of language whereby meaning is conveyed through a verbal texture that seems weightless. Lightness is a value rather than a defect according to Calvino and he uses an analogy from the Greek myth of Medusa to describe lightness. Calvino’s main focus is that “to cut off Medusa’s head without being turned into stone, Perseus supports himself on the very lightness of things.” Lightness in many cases is also something arising from the writing itself, coming from the poet’s own linguistic power. Also, Calvino strongly believes that lightness goes with precision and determination, not with vagueness and the haphazard. He states “one should be light like a bird and not like a feather” which seems very logically when exploring Calvino’s ideas on lightness.

          Calvino discusses lightness in three different senses. The first is that there is a lightening of language whereby meaning is conveyed through a verbal texture that seems weightless. The second is that there is the narration of a train of thought or psychological process that is subtle and imperceptible. The last is that there is a visual image of lightness that acquires emblematic value, because some literary inventions are impressed on our memories by their verbal implications rather than by their actual words. 

           Lightness can be best described in relation to its opposite, weight. Calvino claims that the lightness of language cannot be appreciated without an understanding of its weight and that the search for lightness is a reaction to the weight of living.