A “Father” Is a Bridge: The Case of Pietro di Donato's <i>Three Circles of Light</i>

Abstract This article analyzes the pivotal character of the father in Pietro di Donato's novel Three Circles of Light (1960), examining it alongside his well-known Christ in Concrete (1939). Both novels exemplify a new kind of transnational fiction that transcends the borders of autobiography, offering a vivid portrayal of the Italian community in West Hoboken, New Jersey. Told through the perspective of Paul, the thirteen-year-old son of the Italian bricklayer Geremio, the narrative takes the reader back to the years from 1916 to 1923 before the poor man died in a work-related accident. While emphasizing the symbolic significance of the young master's affair with an American mistress, di Donato underscores the role of sexuality in negotiating an American identity. Other paternal figures—such as Tony, Uncle Charlie Chaplin, and Sebastiano—emerge from the narrative as symbols of empowerment, redefining their role within the American framework and calling for justice and civil rights for Italian immigrants as they navigate American and Italian cultures, lifestyles, and, most importantly, values within their families.