The main purpose of this thesis is to illustrate Sciascia's work concerning the "mafia". It implies a previous discussion on the mafia and why no government could destroy it . It also points out its relationship with the Sicilia society and other countries on earth. The introduction gives an account of the history of Sicily and its invaders throughout the centuries. The formation of the old law of "omerta" (conspiracy of silence) developed as a defense and protection against the harsh rule of the Spaniards who dominated the island continually from the fifteenth century till 1860. This old law became the basic principle of the mafia as illustrated in the four novels written by Leonardo Sciascia. The titles are as follows: 1. II giorno della civetta (The Day of the Owl); 2. A ciascuno i l suo (To Each his Own); 3. Todo modo (One Way or Another); 4. II contesto (Equal Danger). The structure of each novel is the same as generally found in the detective story genre but without any denouement. The first chapter deals with "II giorno della civetta" where examples of local mafia are illustrated including the struggle for justice. Sciascia shows the structure of the mafia in a small Sicilian town. The second chapter analyzes the novel "A ciascuno i l suo" where the mafia infiltrates the government and many political sectors. In chapter four "II contesto" one encounters an urban, cosmopolitan system of corruption involving the elite class of judges and high political party leaders. Sciascia challenges the very institution of justice, political parties and the government at large. He takes on himself the responsibility, as writer, to push for the recognition of moral values of a society and an era. The epilogue covers the efforts of the "Antimafia" men in their attempt to put down the mafia. The end covers the international mafia and its criminal underground activities such as the drug trafficking, money laundering, prostitution, etc. Various antimafia personalities have been killed in this campaign and the struggle continues today in spite of many "mafia bosses" having been arrested.

The main purpose of this thesis is to illustrate Sciascia's work concerning the "mafia". It implies a previous discussion on the mafia and why no government could destroy it . It also points out its relationship with the Sicilia society and other countries on earth. The introduction gives an account of the history of Sicily and its invaders throughout the centuries. The formation of the old law of "omerta" (conspiracy of silence) developed as a defense and protection against the harsh rule of the Spaniards who dominated the island continually from the fifteenth century till 1860. This old law became the basic principle of the mafia as illustrated in the four novels written by Leonardo Sciascia. The titles are as follows: 1. II giorno della civetta (The Day of the Owl); 2. A ciascuno i l suo (To Each his Own); 3. Todo modo (One Way or Another); 4. II contesto (Equal Danger). The structure of each novel is the same as generally found in the detective story genre but without any denouement. The first chapter deals with "II giorno della civetta" where examples of local mafia are illustrated including the struggle for justice. Sciascia shows the structure of the mafia in a small Sicilian town. The second chapter analyzes the novel "A ciascuno i l suo" where the mafia infiltrates the government and many political sectors. In chapter four "II contesto" one encounters an urban, cosmopolitan system of corruption involving the elite class of judges and high political party leaders. Sciascia challenges the very institution of justice, political parties and the government at large. He takes on himself the responsibility, as writer, to push for the recognition of moral values of a society and an era. The epilogue covers the efforts of the "Antimafia" men in their attempt to put down the mafia. The end covers the international mafia and its criminal underground activities such as the drug trafficking, money laundering, prostitution, etc. Various antimafia personalities have been killed in this campaign and the struggle continues today in spite of many "mafia bosses" having been arrested. / Arts, Faculty of / French, Hispanic, and Italian Studies, Department of / Graduate