One, None, One Hundred Thousand.

Luigi Pirandello's novel, "One, None, One Hundred Thousand," published in 1927, addresses the profound identity crisis that arises when one is viewed through the eyes of others, leading the protagonist to a state of existential breakdown.

## The Mirror of Alien Identity

The work by **Luigi Pirandello**, *One, None, One Hundred Thousand*, published in **1927**, plunges the reader into an identity crisis so deep that it dismantles the perception of self. It begins with a casual comment about the protagonist's nose, **Vitangelo Moscarda**, which triggers a spiral of introspection. When he looks in the mirror, he no longer recognizes himself; his reflection fragments into infinite possibilities—a whirlwind of identities that are not his own, yet define him. It feels as if he could be "one hundred thousand" different people, or paradoxically, "none" at all, as his being dissolves in the gazes and judgments of others.

## The Solitude of the 21st Century

This novel, considered a masterpiece of Italian literature, resonates with surprising force in the **21st century**. Its exploration of the loneliness of the modern individual, the "middle bubble," and the human condition in general connects it with contemporary anxieties. The work invites reflection on the dichotomy between what we appear to be and what we truly are—a theme that has resonated throughout literary history, even comparing its depth to *Don Quixote*.

## The Construction of Self

The perception of **Vitangelo Moscarda** is completely altered. He realizes that his identity is not a fixed entity, but a fluid and changing construct, molded by the opinions and expectations of those around him. This realization leads him to a state of personal disintegration, where the only certainty is the uncertainty of who he truly is. The novel, with its introspective and philosophical style, confronts us with the fragility of our own identity.