<p> Starting from a close analysis of <i>Christ in Concrete </i> by Italian American author Pietro di Donato, my thesis focuses primarily on di Donato&rsquo;s perspective on the main character of his story, Geremio and on Edward Dmytry&rsquo;s interpretation of the latter in his 1949 filmic adaptation of the novel. My aim is to demonstrate how di Donato&rsquo;s personal involvement in the story makes the character of Geremio an Italian American literary icon, while Dmytryk&rsquo;s interest with the political meaning of the story transforms the main character into a working class hero. After an analysis mainly focused on a male character, author and director, the last part of my thesis will instead be devoted to two Italian American literary figures, Pietro di Donato&rsquo;s Annunziata and Helen Barolini&rsquo;s Umbertina, in order to examine the Italian American experience through the female lens. </p>