Chapter Three - The Path of Resistance (1920–1926)

Summary

“We are having an out-and-out revolution here,” Piero wrote to Ada from Turin on September 7, 1920. He had experienced an event that would mark a turning point in his political philosophy—the occupation of the factories in Turin. Piero described the situation for Ada, who was still on holiday in Ceres with her family: “I am following with sympathy the forces of the workers who in reality are building a new world.” Piero called it “the greatest ideological battle of the century.” He went on, “We are in the presence of a heroic event. Certainly it might be put down with blood, but that would be the beginning of the end.” In all, 119 Turinese factories were occupied and eight-five consigli di fabbrica (factory councils) were established.

Ada reacted in frustration to the news, impatient that she could not be in Turin while “a battle for humanity” was being fought. She felt sympathy for the workers and at the same time skepticism regarding their success: “It is natural that I be for the workers, who raise an epic cry for new life with heroic ardor. But if I reflect on it, I find myself a bit skeptical. I do not even dare to hope that salvation is here, that they have the strength and constancy to resist, conquer, and persevere.” Piero reprimanded her for exhibiting too much sentimentality, reminding her that revolution was not made in a day. Ada admitted she was too eager to believe in sudden change and in crises: “You are right about what you told me concerning the worker movement. I thank you for having as always led me back to the truth of things with your firm words.” She admitted that she had not yet conquered her bent toward the dramatic:

I am still a little sentimental and enthusiastic, as I have always been, and need to fi nd the poetic or heroic side of everything. I need to imagine something lofty in order to rouse myself profoundly. Moreover (and this is bad), I am still too ready to believe in acts where everything is changed, in crises, in fatal hours, and to forget that everything develops and is carried out with mature slowness.