CHAPTER 36 – American Society in Italy

The chapter “American Society in Italy” from “Worldly Ways and Byways” delves into the disillusionment surrounding the concept of an ‘American Society’ within European locales such as Rome, Florence, and Paris. It starts by debunking the myth of a cohesive American society in these cities, illustrating it as a mirage for those seeking an exotic social enclave abroad. The author reminisces about a bygone era, around forty to fifty years prior, when a quaint community of American artists and intellectuals, including notable figures like Story, Crawford, and Charlotte Cushman, resided in Rome. This group fostered a serene, though eventually transient, cultural and social enclave that reflected in works like Hawthorne’s “Marble Faun.”

Life in Rome during this period was portrayed as delightfully uncomplicated and inexpensive, a stark contrast to the eventual influx of wealth and societal ambition from New York high society in the years leading up to 1870. This surge of affluent New Yorkers seeking to immerse themselves in, or even integrate with, Italian aristocracy marked the beginning of a gradual dissipation of the modest ‘American Society’. The transformation of Rome into the capital of unified Italy and the ensuing urban modernization catalyzed this dissolution.

The author further explores how subsequent Americo-Italian marriages blurred the lines of any distinct American social group, in favor of a fragmented existence within Italian society, stratified by allegiance to either the papal (Black) or royal (White) factions. These shifts led to reduced social gatherings among Americans, now overshadowed by a focus on integrating into Italian aristocracy or cultivating favor with the royal family, noted for its partly American composition due to such marriages.

Endearingly, the chapter critiques the frivolous pursuits and cultural faux pas of Americans abroad, including the fad-driven acquisition of art and impractical large marble statues. This critique culminates in an anecdote illustrating how the allure of noble titles often leads American fortunes to wane in futile attempts to embed within Italian nobility, which, while sociable and engaging, prioritizes wealth over sentimentality in marital unions.

Towards its conclusion, the chapter reflects on the isolated pockets of American residents persisting in Italy for study or due to financial constraints. Far from forming a cohesive society, these individuals are portrayed as occasionally embroiled in petty conflicts, hinting at the intrinsic human tendency towards discord in the absence of common societal bonds. Through historical context, anecdotal evidence, and a dash of satire, the text evokes a narrative of cultural exchange, aspiration, and the eventual disillusionment faced by Americans seeking to carve out their societal niches within the Italian tapestry.