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Genoa is a large city located on Italy’s west coast. It is famous for its historic downtown and Mediterranean climate. Edith Wharton was interested in arts and architecture. With this knowledge, it appears that Genoa must have been highly attractive to her with its Renaissance buildings.
One could also argue that Wharton tried to mention Genoa since its flag comprised the slogan “Libertas” which means a lot to both Wharton and the protagonist of her short story, Paul Dorrance, since they desire freedom in its pure form.
Additionally, Genoa’s flag shows a red cross on a white background with two griffins on each side. This flag is attributable to Saint George’s war flag. Paul Dorrance also mentions Saint George when he is talking about his newly found health: “By George, I do feel better (…)”.[i]
Picture: Genoa's flag [ii]
Furthermore, regarding the Dorrances traveling in general, this Genoese flag with its historic background can be connected to the “Book of Knowledge of All Kingdoms” which was written in the late 14th century. This book describes kingdoms the world over by outlining them and by bringing further understanding through characterization of their flags, lands, lords and kings. Genoa is described as the place of freedom. Regarding this connection, Edith Wharton mentions many different places all over the world (even places Dorrance does not end up visiting) which can be, in the broadest sense, interpreted as a parable to this historic travelogue.[iii] [iv]
A person of note from Genoa is Christopher Columbus. Perhaps Edith Wharton was inspired by his travel routes and wanted her protagonist share in them as some of the places the Dorrances travel to or would like to travel to - for instance India, the West Indies and Spain - are the same as his.
[i] Wharton, Edith; Robinson, Roxana (2007): The New York stories of Edith Wharton. New York, NY: New York Review Books (New York Review Books classics). p.381.
[ii] Cf. Marino, Nancy F. (1999): El libro del conoscimiento de todos los reinos. The book of knowledge of all kingdoms. Tempe, Ariz.: Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (Medieval and Renaissance Texts and Studies, 198).
[iv] Marino, Nancy F. (Hg.) (1999): Book of Knowledge of all Kingsdoms. Online verfügbar unter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Knowledge_of_All_Kingdoms, zuletzt geprüft am 15.06.2018.
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