Dig a Little Deeper

As I kept reading I realized all the names of the cities are feminine. Why is this? What made Calvino chose those particular names? Is there a meaning behind each name?

Olivia:

Olivia is a biblical name that comes from the olive tree. “The olive tree is a symbol of fruitfulness, beauty and dignity”. http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Olivias. In the book Olivia is describes as  “a city rich in products and in profits” (61). Marco Polo describes it as prosperous “prosperity only by speaking of filigree palace with fringed cushions on the seats by the mullioned windows.” (61) The meaning of the name Olivia perfectly fits the description of the city. Its “free life and refined civilization” (61) make the city seem beautiful and sophisticated. I think this name is given to the city because it describes in a way the greatest attributes the city has.  

Sophronia:

 The origin of the name  Sophronia is greek, it means wise, prudent and self-controlled. http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/meaning_of_Sophronia.html. In the book this city is made up of “two half-cities” (63). The cities are organized and divided in a particular way. In one half of the city is like a circus, representing the wild side. The other half has the bank, the school and everything that is indispensable in a society to keep it organized. “one of the half-cities is permanent, the other is temporary… take it off, transplanting it to the vacant lots of another half-city”(63). One half of the city is just like a circus it is temporary and once the “sojourn” is over the circus moves away into another city. I think Calvino chose this particular name because the city is divided in a way that it can be controlled. It is organized and that is one of the words that define Sophronia the name.   

Eutropia:

Eutropia has an old Greek origin as well, but the meaning of it is well mannered and fair. http://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Eutropia. In the chapter about Eutropia Calvino mentions Mercury, a mythological character also known as the god of trade and travel. The city of Eutropia was known for its inhabitants, which moved whenever their life got monotonous and they became weary. I can’t find a connection between the description of the city and the name of it but ill think about it for future blogs.

Zemrude: I couldn’t find the meaning of this name. The city on the other hand does have a meaning, the beauty of the city lies on the eyes of the beholder. According to your mood and to your vision the city will be either beautiful or horrendous.

Aglaura: I couldn’t find the meaning of this name either, but the city is a colorless city. I think the cities and names are the cities in which there is no language or words are insufficient to describe the city.