This article discusses twentieth-century Slovenian literature in Italy, especially the provinces of Udine and Gorizia. Due to the complex developments of the twentieth century (i.e., wars, demarcation lines, borders, linguistic, ethnic, and other divisions, and an earthquake), every area of Slovenian literature in Italy (i.e., the provinces of Trieste, Gorizia, and Udine) was afflicted in its own way by suffering and disappointment. Taking into account the historical realities facilitates understanding the literary works themselves because every area of Slovenian literature in Italy has helped shape literary discourse in a different way. In addition, the message conveyed by this part of Slovenian literary discourse can be even better understood by considering contemporary Friulian and Italian works in this ar ea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]