Abstract
This article is devoted to the collection of critical studies entitled La tradizione del Novecento by Pier Vincenzo Mengaldo, especially to the first series published under that title by Feltrinelli in 1975 (and republished by Bollati Boringhieri in 1996). Having compared the methods and content of the book in light of the orientations of literary criticism during those years, the paper explores the concept of tradition and the role it assumes in relation to the central authors and works of the various chapters. In conclusion, the article highlights the importance of Mengaldo’s book (and his later series of works) in the field of twentieth century Italian literary studies and it assesses its influence and hold amidst current critical perspectives.