Um corpo para ser possuído: representação das mulheres migrantes na Itália contemporânea

In the context of the two world wars, a new conception of war rape developed, namely its use as a tool to break the homogeneity of the ethnic group, of the nation. In fact, it was used as a strategic warfare resource to attack the adversary, deconstructing the unity of the affected national community. This relationship of national subjugation through the female body can also be observed in contemporary narratives about migrant subjects in today’s Italy. While male migrants represent a danger to the host society, women are perceived as fragile and vulnerable individuals who may be subjected to civilizing, that is, male subjugation, in the country where they “disembark.” The aim of this article is to analyze how this identification between the feminine and the nation was constructed in the 20th century and how it was applied to migrant women, who are identified as easily moldable because they are docile to civilizing action.