Chaos and Disorder in Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The present study analyses the chaos and disorder in Italo Calvino’s novel Invisible Cities through the lens of Husserlian Phenomenology. In Calvino’s novels, chaos is prevalent which invites the immediate attention of the narrators to formalize this chaos. In this qualitative study, the close reading technique was used to collect data from the novel for analysis. The study proceeds from the phenomenological journey of the perception of chaos by Calvino’s narrators to the management of that chaos through the phenomenological stages of presuppositionlessnes, reduction, and intentionality. It explores postmodern anarchies like confusion, frustration, and chaotic proliferation through the phenomenological study of chaos and disorder. The study explores the intention of the narrators to find the true essence of the universe filtered through cosmic chaos. The study found out that Calvino is wrestling with the phenomenon of chaos and disorder in the novel which portrays the actual picture of the man of today.