Biographical Criticism

GOING TO THE MOON (by Nino Ricci 1959)

Nino Ricci

- Born and raised in Learnington, Ontario

- Parents are immigrants from Italy (as are the protagonist’s parents in the story)
“The experience of an immigrant probably gave me the necessary sense of marginality and
outsideness that I thinks is important to one’s formation as a writer.”

ANALYSIS:
Ricci was raised by Italian immigrant parents; he was not like others who were raised by parents born in
Canada:
- Going to the Moon expresses his perception of being an interloper, just like the protagonist,
who was also raised by Italian immigrants.

Realizing this theme of isolation and discrimination, we can see the connections to all the allusions
made:

- Apollo 1 and Gud Grissom (1967) – Gud Grisson becomes a symbol for humiliation; lack of
acceptance
- Vietnam War – Civil war due to disagreements between North and South portions of the
country
- Assassination of John Kennedy – helped continue the African-American Civil Rights Movement
to end racial discrimination
- Detroit Riots – one of the most violent riots due to racial discrimination

All of these allusions relate to his life; they all deal with alienation and struggle for acceptance.

Prepared by: Kenneth Cecilia V. Calme