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Synthesis Lectures on
Mathematics & Statistics

Daniel Arrigo

Analytical Methods
for Solving Nonlinear
Partial Differential
Equations
Second Edition
Synthesis Lectures on Mathematics &
Statistics

Series Editor
Steven G. Krantz, Department of Mathematics, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO,
USA
This series includes titles in applied mathematics and statistics for cross-disciplinary
STEM professionals, educators, researchers, and students. The series focuses on new and
traditional techniques to develop mathematical knowledge and skills, an understanding of
core mathematical reasoning, and the ability to utilize data in specific applications.
Daniel Arrigo

Analytical Methods
for Solving Nonlinear Partial
Differential Equations
Second Edition
Daniel Arrigo
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR, USA

ISSN 1938-1743 ISSN 1938-1751 (electronic)

Synthesis Lectures on Mathematics & Statistics
ISBN 978-3-031-17068-3 ISBN 978-3-031-17069-0 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17069-0

1st edition: © Morgan & Claypool Publishers 2019

2nd edition: © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature
Switzerland AG 2022
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole
or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation,
broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage
and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or
hereafter developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does
not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective
laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are
believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give
a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that
may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and
institutional affiliations.

This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG
The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
Preface to Second Edition

The second edition primarily mirrors the first edition. Several typos have been corrected
and new material has been added. In particular, “Generating Contact transformations” and
“Parametric Legendre transformation” both seen in Chap. 4. Several addition exercises
and references have been added to supplement these sections.

Conway, USA Daniel Arrigo

September 2022

v
Preface to First Edition

This is somewhat of an introductory book about obtaining exact solutions to nonlinear

partial differential equations (NLPDEs). This book is based, in part, on my lecture notes
from a graduate course I have taught at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) for
over a decade.
In Chap. 1, I list several nonlinear PDEs (systems of PDEs) that appear in science and
engineering and provide a springboard into the subject matter. As our world is essentially
nonlinear, it is not surprising that the equations that govern most physical phenomena are
nonlinear. As Nobel Laureate Werner Heisenberg once said, “The progress of physics will
to a large extent depend on the progress of nonlinear mathematics, of methods to solve
nonlinear equations.”
In Chap. 2, I introduce compatibility. I start with the method of characteristics, a topic
from a standard course in PDEs. I then move to Charpit’s method, a method that seeks
compatibility between two first order PDEs. From there, I consider the compatibility
between first and second order PDEs, particularly, a nonlinear diffusion equation, Burg-
ers’ equation and a linear diffusion equation with a nonlinear source term. I then extend
the method to the nonlinear diffusion equations in (2 + 1) dimensions and a system of
nonlinear PDEs where we consider the Cubic Schrödinger equation.
In Chap. 3, I introduce the idea of differential substitutions. The classic example is the
Hopf-Cole transformation and Burgers’ equation; it is the example I use to introduce the
topic. I extend the results to generalized Burgers’ and KdV equations. I consider Matrix
Hopf-Cole transformations and use this when I introduce Darboux transformations for
linear diffusion and wave equations.
In Chap. 4, I introduce point and contact transformations. These are a generaliza-
tion of the usual change of variables one would find in an introductory course in PDEs.
I introduce three special transformations: the Hodograph transformation, the Legendre
transformation, and the Ampere transformation. I also introduce conditions, the “contact
conditions,” which guarantee that a transformation will be a contact transformation. With
several examples considered, the chapter ends with the famous Plateau problem from
minimal surfaces.

vii
viii Preface to First Edition

In Chap. 5, we consider first integrals. Simply put, these are PDEs of a lower order
(if they exist) and yield exact solutions of a given equation. I first consider second order
quasilinear PDEs in two independent variables and then general Monge-Ampere (MA)
equations in two independent variables. Often times, PDEs admit very general classes of
first integrals. When this happens, it is sometimes possible to transform the given PDE
to one that is very simple. I then consider three classes of MA equations: a class of
hyperbolic, parabolic, and elliptic MA equations.
The final chapter, Chap. 6, is functional separability. This is a generalization of the
usual separation of variables that one usually finds in an introductory course when solving
PDEs like the heat equation, the wave equation, or Laplace’s equation.
It is fair to say that this book does not cover all techniques used to solve nonlinear
PDEs but rather represents techniques that I personally have interest in and have success-
fully used. For example, techniques like the inverse scattering transform and Bäcklund
transformations are extremely important and should be added to one’s arsenal. It is also
fair to say this is not the only book on techniques for solving PDEs. For example, one
should also consider A. R. Forsyth’s “A Treatise on Differential Equations,” W. F. Ames’
“Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations in Engineering, Vol. I and II,” and L. Debnath’s
“Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers.”

Conway, USA Daniel Arrigo

April 2019
Acknowledgements

I first would like to thank my wife Peggy. She once again became a book widow. My
love and thanks. Second, I would like to thank all of my students who, over the past 12+
years, volunteered to read the book and gave much needed input on both the presentation
of material and on the complexity of the examples given. Finally, I would like to thank
Susanne Filler of Springer Nature Publishers. Once again, she made the process a simple
and straightforward one.

ix
Contents

1 Nonlinear PDEs are Everywhere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.1 Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2 Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.1 Charpit’s Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.2 Second Order PDEs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2.3 Compatibility in (2 + 1) Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
2.4 Compatibility for Systems of PDEs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
2.5 Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
3 Differential Substitutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
3.1 Generalized Burgers’ Equation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
3.2 KdV-MKdV Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
3.3 Generalized KdV Equation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
3.4 Matrix Hopf-Cole Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
3.5 Darboux Transformations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
3.5.1 Second Order Darboux Transformations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
3.5.2 Darboux Transformations Between Two Diffusion Equations . . . . 70
3.5.3 Darboux Transformations Between Two Wave Equations . . . . . . . 72
3.6 Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
4 Point and Contact Transformations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
4.1 Contact Transformations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
4.1.1 Hodograph Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
4.1.2 Legendre Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
4.1.3 Ampere Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
4.2 Contact Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

xi
xii Contents

4.3 Plateau Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

4.3.1 Linearization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
4.3.2 Well Known Minimal Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
4.4 Generating Contact Transformations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
4.5 Parametric Legendre Transformations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
4.6 Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
5 First Integrals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
5.1 Quasilinear Second Order Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
5.2 Monge-Ampere Equation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
5.3 The Martin Equation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
5.4 First Integrals and Linearization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
5.4.1 Hyperbolic MA Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
5.4.2 Parabolic MA Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
5.4.3 Elliptic MA Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
5.5 Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
6 Functional Separability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
6.1 Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Nonlinear PDEs are Everywhere
1

Outside of Quantum mechanics, the world around us is modeled by nonlinear partial differ-
ential equations (PDEs). Here is just a short list of places that one may find nonlinear PDEs.

1. The nonlinear diffusion equation

u t = (D(u)u x )x (1.1)

is a nonlinear PDE that models heat transfer in a medium where the thermal conductivity
may depend on the temperature. The equation also arises in numerous other fields such as
soil physics, population genetics, fluid dynamics, neurology, combustion theory, and reac-
tion chemistry, to name just a few (see [1] and the references within).

2. The nonlinear wave equation

u tt = c(u)2 u x x
 
(1.2)
essentially models wave propagation and appears in applications involving one-dimensional
gases, shallow water waves, longitudinal threadlines, finite nonlinear strings, elastic-plastic
materials, and transmission lines, to name a few (see [2] and the references within).

3. Burgers Equation
u t + uu x = νu x x (1.3)
is a partial differential equation that incorporates both nonlinearity and diffusion. It was first
introduced as a simplified model for turbulence [3] and appears in various areas of applied
mathematics, such as soil-water flow [4], nonlinear acoustics [5], and traffic flow [6].

4. Fisher’s equation
u t = u x x + u(1 − u) (1.4)

© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022 1

D. Arrigo, Analytical Methods for Solving Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations,
Synthesis Lectures on Mathematics & Statistics,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17069-0_1
2 1 Nonlinear PDEs are Everywhere

is a model proposed for the wave of advance of advantageous genes [7] and has applications
in early farming [8], chemical wave propagation [9], nuclear reactors [10], chemical kinetics
[11], and in theory of combustion [12].

5. The Fitzhugh-Nagumo equation

u t = u x x + u(1 − u)(u + λ) (1.5)

models the transmission of nerve impulses [13, 14] and arises in population genetics models
[15].

6. The Korteweg deVries equation (KdV)

u t + 6uu x + u x x x = 0 (1.6)

describes the evolution of long water waves down a canal of rectangular cross section. It
has also been shown to model longitudinal waves propagating in a one-dimensional lattice,
ion-acoustic waves in a cold plasma, waves in elastic rods, and used to describe the axial
component of velocity in a rotating fluid flow down a tube [16] .

7. The Boussinesq equation

1
u tt + u x x + (2uu x )x + u x x x x = 0 (1.7)
3
was introduced by Boussinesq in 1871 [17, 18] to model shallow water waves on long chan-
nels. It also arises in other applications such as in one-dimensional nonlinear lattice waves
[19, 20], vibrations in a nonlinear string [21], and ion sound waves in a plasma [22, 23].

8. The Eikonial equation

|∇u| = F(x), x ∈ Rn (1.8)
appears in ray optics [24].

9. The Gross-Pitaevskii equation

i ψt = −∇ 2 ψ + (V (x) + |ψ|2 )ψ (1.9)

is a model for the single-particle wavefunction in a Bose-Einstein condensate [25, 26].

10. Plateau’s equation

(1 + u 2y )u x x − 2u x u y u x y + (1 + u 2x )u yy = 0 (1.10)
1.1 Exercises 3

arises in the study of minimal surfaces [27].

11. The Sine-Gordon equation

u x y = sin u (1.11)
arises in the study of surfaces of constant negative curvature [28], and in the study of crystal
dislocations [29].

12. The equilibrium equations

∂σx x ∂σx y
+ + Fx = 0
∂x ∂y
(1.12)
∂σx y ∂σ yy
+ + Fy = 0
∂x ∂y
arise in elasticity. Here, σx x , σx y and σ yy are normal and shear stresses, and Fx and Fy are
body forces [30]. These have been used by Cox, Hill, and Thamwattana [31] (see also [32])
to model highly frictional granular materials.

13. The Navier-Stokes equations

∇ ·u=0
∇P (1.13)
ut + u · ∇u = − + ν∇ 2 u
ρ
describe the velocity field and pressure of incompressible fluids. Here ν is the kinematic
viscosity, u is the velocity of the fluid parcel, P is the pressure, and ρ is the fluid density [33].

1.1 Exercises

1. Show solutions exist for the nonlinear diffusion equation

ut = um u x x ,
 
m∈R (1.14)

of the form u = kt p x q for suitable constants k, p and q. Use these to obtain solutions to
u 
x
u t = (uu x )x and u t = . (1.15)
u x
2. Show that Fisher’s equation

u t = u x x + u(1 − u) (1.16)
4 1 Nonlinear PDEs are Everywhere

admit solutions of the form u = f (x − ct) where f satisfies the ordinary differential equa-
tion (ODE)
f ′′ + c f ′ + f − f 2 = 0. (1.17)
Further show exact solutions can be obtained in the form
1
f = 2 (1.18)
a + bekz

for suitable constants a, b, c, and k [34].

3. Show that the Fitzhugh−Nagumo equation

u t = u x x + u(1 − u)(u + λ) (1.19)

admits solutions of the form u = f (x − ct) where f satisfies the ODE

f ′′ + c f ′ + f (1 − f )( f + λ) = 0. (1.20)

Further show exact solutions can be obtained in the form

1
f = (1.21)
a + bekz
for suitable constants a, b, c, λ and k.

4. Show that solutions exist of the form

ax
u=
x2 + bt
(a and b constant) that satisfies Burgers’ equation (1.3).

5. Consider the PDE

u t = u x x + 2 sech2 x u. (1.22)
Even though linear, exact solutions to equations of the form

u t = u x x + f (x)u (1.23)
2 2
can be difficult to find. If v = ek t sinh kt or v = ek t cosh kt (k is an arbitrary constant),
show
u = vx − tanh x · v
satisfies (1.22).
1.1 Exercises 5

6. Show
 2 f ′ (x)g ′ (y) 
 
u = ln 
 
( f (x) + g(y))2 
where f (x) and g(y) are arbitrary functions satisfies Liouville’s equation

u x y = eu .

7. Show  
−1
u = 4 tan−1 eax+a y
where a is an arbitrary nonzero constant satisfies the Sine-Gordon equation

u x y = sin u.

8. Show that if
u = f (x + ct)
satisfies the KdV equation (1.6) then f satisfies

c f ′ + 6 f f ′ + f ′′′ = 0 (1.24)

where prime denotes differentiation with respect to the argument of f . Show there is one
value of c such that f (r ) = 2 sech2 r is a solution of (1.24).

9. The PDE
vt − 6v 2 vx + vx x x = 0
is known as the modified Korteweg de Vries (mKdV) equation. Show that if v is a solution
of the mKdV, then
u = vx − v 2
is a solution of the KdV (1.6).

10. The Boussinesq equation

1
u tt + u x x − u 2 x x − u x x x x = 0
 
(1.25)
3
under the substitution u = 2 (ln F(t, x))x x (and integrating twice) becomes ([35])

1
F Ftt − Ft2 + F Fx x − Fx2 − F Fx x x x − 4Fx Fx x x + 3Fx2x = 0.

(1.26)
3
Further show that (1.26) admits solutions of the form F = ax 2 + bt 2 + c for suitable a, b
and c (see [36]).
6 1 Nonlinear PDEs are Everywhere

References

1. B.H. Gilding, R. Kersner, The characterization of reaction-convection-diffusion processes by

travelling waves. J. Differ. Equ. 124, 27–79 (1996)  
2. W.F. Ames, R.J. Lohner, E. Adams, Group Properties of u tt = f (u)u x x Int. J. Nonlin. Mech.
16(5/6), 439–447 (1981)
3. J.M. Burgers, Mathematical examples illustrating relations occuring in the theory of turbulent
fluid motion. Akademie van Wetenschappen, Amsterdam, Eerste Sectie, Deel XVII, No. 2, 1–53
(1939)
4. P. Broadbridge, Burgers’ equation and layered media: exact solutions and applications to soil-
water flow. Math. Comput. Model. 16(11), 163–169 (1992)
5. K. Naugolnykh, L. Ostrovsky, Nonlinear Wave Processes in Acoustics (Cambridge University
Press, 1998)
6. R. Haberman, Mathematical Models; Mechanical Vibrations, Population Dynamics, and Traffic
Flow: An Introduction to Applied Mathematics, Imprint Englewood Cliffs (Prentice-Hall, N.J.,
1977)
7. R.A. Fisher, The wave of advance of advantageous genes. Ann. Eugen. 7, 353–369 (1937)
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Compatibility
2

We start our discussion by first solving the nonlinear PDE

xu x − u 2y = 2u, (2.1)

subject to the boundary condition

u(x, x) = 0. (2.2)

As with most introductory courses in partial differential equations (see, for example, [1])
we use the method of characteristics. Here, we define F as

F = x p − q 2 − 2u. (2.3)

The characteristic equations become

xs = F p = x, (2.4a)
ys = Fq = −2q, (2.4b)
2
u s = p F p + q Fq = x p − 2q , (2.4c)
ps = −Fx − p Fu = p, (2.4d)
qs = −Fy − q Fu = 2q. (2.4e)

In order to solve the PDE (2.1) we will need to solve the system (2.4). As (2.1) has a boundary
condition (BC), we will create BCs for the system (2.4). In the (x, y) plane, the line y = x is
the boundary where u is defined. To this, we associate a boundary in the (r , s) plane. Given
the flexibility, we can choose s = 0 and connect the two boundaries via x = r (Fig. 2.1).
Therefore, we have
x = r , y = r , u = 0 when s = 0. (2.5)

© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022 9

D. Arrigo, Analytical Methods for Solving Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations,
Synthesis Lectures on Mathematics & Statistics,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17069-0_2
10 2 Compatibility

Fig. 2.1 Change in the boundary from the (x, y) plane to the (r , s) plane

To determine p and q on s = 0, it is necessary to consider the initial condition u(x, x) = 0.

Differentiating with respect to x gives

u x (x, x) + u y (x, x) = 0. (2.6)

From the original PDE (2.1)

xu x (x, x) − u 2y (x, x) = 0. (2.7)

If we denote p0 = u x (x, x) and q0 = u y (x, y), then (2.6) and (2.7) become

p0 + q0 = 0, r p0 − q02 = 0. (2.8)

These are easily solved giving

(i ) p0 = 0, q0 = 0, (2.9a)
(ii ) p0 = r , q0 = −r . (2.9b)

As case (i) gives rise to the trivial solution u = 0, we will only consider case (ii).
Solving (2.4a) gives
x = a(r )es , (2.10)
2 Compatibility 11

where a is an arbitrary function. From the boundary condition (2.5), we find that a(r ) = r
gives
x = r es . (2.11)
Solving (2.4d) gives
p = b(r )es , (2.12)
where b is an arbitrary function. From the boundary condition (2.9b), we find that b(r ) = r
gives
p = r es . (2.13)
Solving (2.4e) gives
q = c(r )e2s , (2.14)
where c is an arbitrary function. From the boundary condition (2.9b), we find that c(r ) = −r
gives
q = −r e2s . (2.15)
To solve (2.4b) we need to use q. Thus,

ys = −2q = 2r e2s (2.16)

easily integrates, giving y = r e2s + d(r ). Using the BC (2.5) shows that d = 0 gives

y = r e2s . (2.17)

Finally, we see from (2.4b)

u s = x p − 2q 2 = r 2 e2s − 2r 2 e4s , (2.18)

which again integrates easily giving u = 21 (r 2 e2s − r 2 e4s ) + e(r ), where e is an arbitrary
function. From the boundary condition (2.5), we find that e(r ) = 0 gives

r 2 e2s − r 2 e4s
u= . (2.19)
2
Eliminating r and s from (2.11), (2.17), and (2.19) gives

x 2 − y2
u= . (2.20)
2
The reader can verify the the solution (2.20) does indeed satisfy the PDE (2.1) and the BC
(2.2).
12 2 Compatibility

2.1 Charpit’s Method

Obtaining exact solutions to nonlinear PDEs such as (2.1) can be a difficult task as we
are required to solve equations such as (2.4)! The difficulty is not so much in solving
these characteristic equations but in eliminating the 5 arbitrary functions that appear upon
integration. So we ask, is it possible to obtain exact solutions another way?
Consider the PDE
u y = −y. (2.21)
This integrates to give
y2
u=− + f (x), (2.22)
2
where f is an arbitrary function of integration and substitution into the original PDE (2.1)
gives
xf' = 2f. (2.23)
This ODE is solved giving
f = cx 2 , (2.24)
which from (2.22) leads to
y2
u = cx 2 − . (2.25)
2
The initial condition (2.2) gives c = 1/2, and leads to the solution given in (2.20).
Consider the PDE
u x = x. (2.26)
This integrates to give
x2
u= + g(y), (2.27)
2
where g is an arbitrary function of integration and substitution into the original PDE (2.1)
gives
− g '2 = 2g. (2.28)
This ODE is solved giving (we will omit the trivial solution g = 0)

y2 c2
g=− + cy − , (2.29)
2 2
which from (2.27) and the initial condition (2.2) again leads to the solution (2.20).
As for the final example, consider the PDE

u x + xu y = x − x y. (2.30)

This integrates to give

2.1 Charpit’s Method 13

( )
1 2 1 2
u = y− y +h y− x , (2.31)
2 2
where h is an arbitrary function of its argument. Substitution into the original PDE (2.1)
gives
2(λ − 1)h ' − h '2 − 1 = 2h, (2.32)
where h = h(λ) and λ = y − 21 x 2 . This ODE actually has two solutions

1 1 2
h = cλ − (c + 1)2 , h= λ − λ, (2.33)
2 2
and leads to the exact solutions
12
( )
1 2 1
u=y− + c y − x − (c + 1)2 ,
2 2 2
( )2 (2.34)
1 1 1
u = (x 2 − y 2 ) + y − x2 .
2 2 2

However, only the first solution will give rise to (2.20).

A question we ask: Is it really necessary to solve the reduced ODEs given in (2.23),
(2.28), and (2.32)? Consider the solution forms that lead to these ODEs

y2
u=− + f (x),
2
x2
u= + g(y), (2.35)
2 ( )
1 1
u = y − y2 + h y − x 2 .
2 2

If we impose the initial condition u(x, x) = 0 in each solution form (2.35), we obtain the
solution u = 21 (x 2 − y 2 ), but we certainly would have missed obtaining the second exact
solution in (2.34). So are there others? For example, both

u y = x 2,
(2.36)
xu x + 2yu y = 2u − y 2 ,

will lead to exact solutions of the given PDE (2.1) however, the boundary conditions might
not be satisfied. In fact any PDE of the form

u x u 2x
( )
2
F , , u y + y, xu x − u y − 2u = 0 (2.37)
x uy

will give rise to an exact solution to (2.1). A number of questions arise.

1. Where did these associated PDEs come from?

14 2 Compatibility

2. How do we know that they will lead to a solution that also satisfies the BC?

Before trying to answer such questions, it is important to know that an actual solution exists.
Namely, does a solution exist that satisfies both the original PDE and second appended PDE?
So, in the first example, does a solution exist that satisfies both

xu x − u 2y = 2u and u y = −y? (2.38)

If we isolate u x and u y in (2.38) and ask: does a solution exist to

2u y2
ux = + , u y = −y? (2.39)
x x
∂u x ∂u y
If so, then they certainly would be compatible, so = . Calculating these gives
∂y ∂x
2u y 2y ?
+ = 0, (2.40)
x x
and since u y = −y, then (2.40) is identically satisfied, so the two equations (2.38) are
compatible. For the second example we ask: are the following compatible?

xu x − u 2y = 2u and u x = x. (2.41)

We substitute u x = x into the first of (2.41) and then seek compatibility of

x 2 − u 2y = 2u and u x = x. (2.42)

To show compatibility, we differentiate the first of (2.42) with respect to x giving

2x − 2u y u x y = 2u x , (2.43)

and since u x = x then (2.43) is identically satisfied then (2.41) are compatible. For the final
example, we ask: are these compatible?

xu x − u 2y = 2u and u x + xu y = x − x y. (2.44)

Definitely a harder problem to explicitly find u x and u y but is that really necessary? If they
were compatible, they would have the same second derivatives. If we calculate the x and y
derivatives of each we obtain

xu x x − 2u y u x y = u x , (2.45a)
xu x y − 2u y u yy = 2u y , (2.45b)
u x x + xu x y + u y = 1 − y, (2.45c)
u x y + xu yy = −x. (2.45d)
2.1 Charpit’s Method 15

Solving (2.45c) and (2.45d) for u x x and u x y gives

u x x = x 2 u yy − u y + x 2 − y + 1, u x y = −xu yy − x, (2.46)

and the two remaining equation in (2.45) become

x(2u y + x 2 )u yy − u x + xu y + x 3 − x y + x = 0, (2.47a)
2
(2u y + x )(u yy + 1) = 0. (2.47b)

If (2.44) were to be compatible, then (2.47) would be identically satisfied. So we see two
cases emerge:

(i) 2u y + x 2 = 0,
(ii) 2u y + x 2 / = 0.

In the first case where u y = 21 x 2 , (2.47a) reduces to

1
2u x − x 3 − x + x y = 0,
3

which is compatible with u y = 21 x 2 and so (2.44) are compatible. In the second case where
u yy = −1, (2.47a) reduces to

u x + xu y + x(y − 1) = 0

which is identically satisfied by virtue of (2.44) and again, (2.44) are compatible.
So now we know how to determine when two first order PDEs are compatible. Our next
step is to determine how they come about.
Consider the compatibility of the following first order PDEs

F(x, y, u, p, q) = 0,
(2.48)
G(x, y, u, p, q) = 0,

where p = u x and q = u y . Calculating the x and y derivatives of (2.48) gives

Fx + p Fu + u x x F p + u x y Fq = 0,
Fy + q Fu + u x y F p + u yy Fq = 0,
(2.49)
G x + pG u + u x x G p + u x y G q = 0,
G y + qG u + u x y G p + u yy G q = 0.

Solving the first three (2.49) for u x x , u x y and u yy gives

16 2 Compatibility

−Fx G q − p Fu G q + Fq G x + p Fq G u
uxx = ,
F p G q − Fq G p
−F p G x − p F p G u + Fx G p + p Fu G p
uxy = ,
F p G q − Fq G p
F p2 G x + p F p2 G u − Fy F p G q − q Fu F p G q
+q Fu Fq G p − Fx F p G p − p Fu F p G p + Fy Fq G p
u yy = .
(F p G q − Fq G p )Fq

Substitution into the last of (2.49) gives

F p G x + Fq G y + ( p F p + q Fq )G u − (Fx + p Fu )G p − (Fy + q Fu )G q = 0,

conveniently written as
| | | |
| Dx F F p |
| + | D y F Fq | = 0,
| |
|
| Dx G G p | | Dy G Gq | (2.51)

where Dx F = Fx + p Fu , D y F = Fy + q Fu and | · | is the usual determinant. These are

known as the Charpit equations. We also assumed that F p G q − Fq G p / = 0 and Fq / = 0.
These cases would need to be considered separately.

Example 2.1 Consider

xu x − u 2y = 2u. (2.52)
This is the example we already considered; now we will determine all classes of equations
that are compatible with this one. Denoting

G = xu x − u 2y − 2u
= x p − q 2 − 2u,

where p = u x and q = u y , then

G x = p, G y = 0, G u = −2, G p = x, G q = −2q,

and the Charpit equations are

| | | |
| Dx F F p |
| + | D y F Fq | = 0,
| |
|
| −p x | | −2q −2q |

or, after expansion,

x Fx − 2q Fy + x p − 2q 2 Fu + p F p + 2q Fq = 0.
( )
2.1 Charpit’s Method 17

Solving this linear PDE by the method of characteristics gives the solution as

p p2
( )
2
F , , q + y, x p − q − 2u = 0 (2.53)
x q

which is exactly the one given in (2.37)!

Example 2.2 Consider

u x u y = 1. (2.54)
Denoting
G = u x u y − 1 = pq − 1,
where p = u x and q = u y , then

G x = 0, G y = 0, G u = 0, G p = q, G q = p,

and the Charpit equations are

| | | |
| Dx F F p |
| + | D y F Fq | = 0,
| |
|
| 0 q | | 0 −p |

or, after expansion,

q Fx + p Fy + 2 pq Fu = 0.
Note that the third term can be replaced by 2Fu , due to the original equation. Solving this
linear PDE by the method of characteristics gives the solution as

F = F(uq − 2x, up − 2y, p, q), (2.55)

or
F = F(uu y − 2x, uu x − 2y, u x , u y ). (2.56)
For example, if we choose
uu y − 2x = 0, (2.57)
then on integrating we obtain
u 2 = 4x y + f (x), (2.58)
where f is an arbitrary function of integration and substituting into the original PDE (2.54)
gives
xf' = f. (2.59)
This ODE is easily integrated giving
f = cx, (2.60)
where c is a constant of integration and leads to the exact solution
18 2 Compatibility

u 2 = 4x y + cx. (2.61)

If we choose
uu x + u y − 2y = 0, (2.62)
then on integrating we obtain
( )
2 3
u − y2 + f yu − x − y = 0, (2.63)
3

where f is an arbitrary function of its argument and substituting into the original PDE (2.54)
gives
f f '2 − 1 = 0. (2.64)
Again, this ODE is easily integrated giving
( )3/2
3
f = c± x (2.65)
2

and leads to the exact solution

( )2/3
3 2
u − y 2 + c ± (yu − x − y 3 ) = 0. (2.66)
2 3

Example 2.3 Consider

u 2x + u 2y = u 2 . (2.67)
Denoting p = u x and q = u y , then

G = u 2x + u 2y − u 2 = p2 + q 2 − u 2 .

Thus,
G x = 0, G y = 0, G u = −2u, G p = 2 p, G q = 2q,
and the Charpit equation’s are
| | | |
| Dx F F p |
| + | D y F Fq | = 0,
| |
|
| −2 pu 2 p | | −2qu 2q |

or, after expansion,

p Fx + q Fy + p 2 + q 2 Fu + pu F p + qu Fq = 0.
( )
(2.68)

Note that the third term can be replaced by u 2 Fu , due to the original equation. Solving
(2.68), a linear PDE, by the method of characteristics gives the solution as
( p q p q)
F = F x − ln u, y − ln u, , .
u u u u
2.1 Charpit’s Method 19

One particular example is

p q
x− ln u + y − ln u = 0,
u u
or
u
u x + u y = (x + y) .
ln u
√
If we let u = e v, this becomes

vx + v y = 2(x + y),

which, by the method of characteristics, has the solution

v = 2x y + f (x − y).

This, in turn, gives the solution for u as

√
2x y+ f (x−y)
u=e . (2.69)

Substitution into the original Eq. (2.67) gives the following ODE

f '2 − 2λ f ' − 2 f + 2λ2 = 0,

where f = f (λ) and λ = x − y. If we let f = g + 21 λ2 then we obtain

g '2 − 2g = 0 (2.70)

whose solutions are given by

(r + c)2
g= , g = 0, (2.71)
2
where c is an arbitrary constant of integration. This, in turn, gives
1 1 2
f = λ2 + cλ + c2 , f = λ (2.72)
2 2
and substitution into (2.69) gives
/ √
x 2 +y 2 +c(x−y)+ 21 c2 2x y+(x−y)2 /2
u=e , u=e ,

exact solutions to the original PDE (2.67).

It is interesting to note that when we substitute the solution of the compatible equation
into the original it reduces to an ODE. A natural question is: does this always happen? This
was proven to be true in two independent variables by the author [2].
20 2 Compatibility

So now we ask, of the infinite possibilities of compatible equations, can we choose the
right one(s) to not only solve a given PDE but also satisfy the given boundary condition
(BC)? The following example illustrates.

Example 2.4 Solve

u x u y − xu x − yu y = 0, (2.73)
subject to the boundary conditions

(i ) u(x, 1) = 0,
1
(ii ) u(x, 0) = x 2 , (2.74)
2
(iii ) u(x, x) = 2x 2 .

Denoting
G = pq − x p − yq,
where p = u x and q = u y , then

G x = − p, G y = −q, G u = 0, G p = q − x, G q = p − y,

and the Charpit equations are

| | | |
| Dx F F p |
| + | D y F Fq | = 0,
| |
|
| −p q − x | | −q p − y |

or, after expansion,

(q − x)Fx + ( p − y)Fy + (2 pq − x p − yq)Fu + p F p + q Fq = 0. (2.75)

Note that the third term can be replaced by pq Fu , due to the original PDE. Solving (2.75)
by the method of characteristics gives the solution as

F = F(q 2 − 2xq, p 2 − 2yp, p/q, pq − 2u), (2.76)

or
F = F(u 2y − 2xu y , u 2x − 2yu x , u x /u y , u x u y − 2u). (2.77)
So how do we incorporate the BCs? Here, we will look at each BC separately.

Boundary Condition (i) In this case u(x, 1) = 0, and differentiating with respect to x gives
u x (x, 1) = 0 on the boundary. From the original PDE (2.73) we then have u y (x, 1) = 0.
Substituting these into (2.77) gives

F = F(0, 0, ?, 0). (2.78)

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 LE SEDUZIONI
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 AMALIA GUGLIELMINETTI

LE SEDUZIONI
LE VERGINI FOLLI

Con prefazione di G. A. BORGESE

18º MIGLIAIO

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 Proprietà letteraria

Torino — Tipografia Vincenzo Bona (13881).

INDICE
 UNA POETESSA

Saffo dalle chiome di viola. Chi se l'immagina rediviva? I secoli

l'hanno circonfusa in una nebbia leggendaria di ardente impurità.
Immaginate dunque il suo spirito riemerso dall'onda Egea,
trasmigrato verso un'ansimante metropoli moderna, vestito un'altra
volta di membra giovanili e di panni che non ondeggiano intorno al
libero corpo, come il peplo della fanciulla greca, ma lo stringono
dentro una morbida guaina, come la moda di Parigi comanda. Non
passeggia, circondata di alunne e coronata di fiori, sul margine delle
rupi ascoltando il singulto del mare, ma solitaria e frettolosa, sepolta
nell'ombra dell'immenso cappello piumato, sguscia nel trambusto
crepuscolare della città rosseggiante sotto le lampade appena
accese, prestando orecchio al confuso romorio delle cupidigie che si
risvegliano nell'ombra. Brutta, come Giacomo Leopardi la pensò, ed
amorosa della morte perchè respinta da un crudele Faone? No.
Leopardi cercava ingenerosamente, per consolarsi, una compagna
della sua miseria. Se gli occhi foschi e profondi di Saffo rediviva
sogguardano dalle palpebre reclini, tutta la figura s'accende in un
improvviso lampo di bellezza. Ma, se in fantasia l'accecate, se per un
momento la considerate come una statua diserta dalla luce della sua
passione e del suo dolore, ecco vi sorprende in quella femminilità
non so che di troppo rude e mascolino ed aspro. Forse troppo larghe
e potenti le mascelle, forse troppo secca e diritta la sagoma
dall'occipite al tallone e troppo lunghe le dita ed un po' roca, come
per un fremito perenne, la voce. Bella, ma di una bellezza aspra e
funesta; immagine di nemica formidabile sebbene inerme, che soffre
ella medesima della sua ostile solitudine, ma pur non sa piegarsi, e
non vuole, ad amare come gli uomini vogliono essere amati.
Abbandonandosi, minaccia; abbracciando, respinge. Ha un sorriso di
felicità che sembra ghigno di scherno; se promette la fedeltà la sua
promessa trema sulle labbra con la febbrile vibrazione della colpa.
Non nasconde uno stiletto nella manica sinistra? E Faone non l'ama,
quantunque ella lo cerchi con smisurato ardore. Ha paura. Non dello
stiletto, ma dell'ardore con cui la donna l'ama. Preferisce le facili
galanterie o i sonnolenti vincoli matrimoniali a questo vortice di
fiamma, ove l'anima sua s'incenerirebbe. Passa oltre, desiderando e
tremando. E passa oltre anche Saffo, non per osare il salto suicida
dalla rupe di Leucade, ma per cantare, irridendo, un canto di
selvaggia sfida e di crudele impudicizia.
Io non so, nè credo che a questa immaginazione corrisponda la
persona di Amalia Guglielminetti. Io parlo della sua poesia. In una
incredibile concentrazione fantastica, questa fanciulla ha vissuto la
vita della peggiore femmina moderna; amante, attrice, adultera,
cortigiana. Essa ha letto, al chiarore perverso d'una lampada incerta,
i grandi romanzi francesi.

Romanzi letti con anima piena

di febbre, a notte, mentre in ombre il lume
ripeteva negli angoli ogni scena.

L'amata emersa dalle trine a spume

e l'amante a' suoi piedi, ebbro di lei,
si sprigionavan molli dal volume.

Illanguidiva i suoi grand'occhi rei

smaniosa d'amar la Bovary,
o con la barba a punta e con i bei

denti rideva fatuo Bel-Ami.

Ed ecco la lettrice si trasfigura in protagonista. Che cos'è la donna
vera e vivente? Una costola strappata dal fianco di Adamo. Essa è la
materia plastica, nella quale la volontà mascolina si foggia la figura
visibile del suo desiderio. Ester, Medea, Alceste, Lalage. Beatrice,
Laura, Francesca. Ogni grande poeta ha fabbricato nella solitudine
del suo sogno il simulacro dell'amore e della bellezza, perchè le
donne viventi gli s'affollassero con ansia dintorno imitandone le
fogge ed i modi. Sanguinaria e frodolenta affermatrice del sesso e
della razza nei libri biblici, crudele dominatrice, “urna di tutti i mali„,
nella primitiva immaginazione greca, sale o decade alla funzione di
schiava domestica in Roma, che fila la lana incuriosa degli
intellettuali splendori in cui folgoreggiano le venali nipoti di Aspasia.
Le figure contraddittorie della superdonna, della sposa e della
cortigiana s'incrociano ancora indecise nell'antica poesia, ma le
letterature moderne si dividono nettamente il còmpito. Sorge in Italia
la donna angelicata, la radiosa creatura di perfezione che “al ciel
conduce„, e si chiama Beatrice, ma subito dopo s'umanizza alquanto
in madonna Laura. Rimane ai tedeschi l'eredità di Giuditta, di Medea,
perchè l'indomabile e perfida eroina rinasca nella Crimilde dei
Nibelunghi e seicent'anni dopo generi un'intera prosapia di
meravigliose criminali nell'opera di Hebbel è di Ibsen, cui non da
lontano somiglia quella di Wagner. La pura e devota compagna
dell'uomo soffre tessendo corone di disperata fedeltà nel dramma e
nel romanzo inglese; mentre la letteratura francese, sviluppando
l'esile germe che Catullo aveva deposto nelle sue tenere ed irose
odicine a Lesbia civetta e bugiarda, dimentica le sottili smancerie di
Gianfredo Rudel, seppellisce le taciturne e pazienti compagne dei
paladini, ed elabora alla perfezione quella che per antonomasia si
chiama la donna moderna: quella che Molière inventò in Climena per
vendicarsi della moglie, quella che si chiama Jacqueline in De Musset
e Michelle de Burne in Maupassant, che percorre col nefasto fruscìo
delle sue sete la scena di mille drammi e di mille romanzi e strappa
come gocce di sangue le rime al cuore di venti poeti lirici. Questa
donna non ha ancora trent'anni, ma li ha quasi, è ricca ed ha un
marito ricco, non è bella, ma splende di una grazia irregolare e
capricciosa, non ama, ma si dà; non abbandona, ma tradisce. Non
sposa e non cortigiana, non dominatrice nè schiava, ma
semplicemente anarchica, essa è la donna libera nella famiglia
costituita, la creazione più singolare della Francia, un incomparabile
strumento di piacere, un inimitabile oggetto di lusso, un detestabile
arnese di tortura. Bergeret l'ha chiamata “la parigina„. Essa è
parigina di nascita ed è il segreto e palese tormento di tutte le
provinciali, francesi od italiane che siano.
Quando le donne si riconobbero in madonna Laura, ne vennero fuori
i sonetti di Vittoria Colonna e di Gaspara Stampa; quando si
riconobbero nelle candide spose shakespeariane, germogliarono le
rime di Elisabetta Barret-Browning. Ma nessuna ebbe il coraggio di
proclamarsi l'eguale di Beatrice Portinari. Ci voleva troppo orgoglio. E
nessuna fin'oggi aveva osato di foggiare la sua femminilità secondo il
modello della Parigina di Becque. Era anche più arduo, perchè
l'orgoglio non bastava senza un'inconcepibile dose di umiltà, essendo
la donna francese una creatura dell'amore e del disprezzo degli
uomini.
Ecco ora Amalia Guglielminetti. La protagonista di Notre Cœur, ma
più sensuale ed ardente, è uscita dalle pagine del romanzo, è
divenuta poetessa, si canta e si confessa da sè, quale Guy de
Maupassant invano l'amò. Poetessa di qual valore? Evitatemi la pena
di tentare una comparazione. Costei è un'artista di tale strepitosa
forza che bisogna lasciarla sola.
Le Seduzioni sono il romanzo autobiografico di questo tipo ideale di
donna moderna. Romanzo senza intreccio; tutto quanto di momenti
psichici, fissati in una settantina di strofe, ciascheduna di tredici versi
ordinati in terzine.
La protagonista vive nel suo sogno di folle giovinezza, solitaria e
superba, senz'altra gioia fuor di quelle che ad ogni ora le finge la sua
voluttuosa immaginazione. Non vale piangere, v'è la Giovinezza, sua
unica amica che l'accompagna e la consola.

Tenti la lode e mormori: — Sei bella!

e scherzi: — Hai sui capelli una corona...
e m'accarezzi come una sorella

finch'io non ti sorrida: — E tu sei buona!

Altre volte ella ha cantato pene d'amore, nei Canti della Giovinezza,
nelle Vergini Folli, che attraverso l'aspra fatica del sonetto, in cui
l'alunna di Vittoria Alfieri tormentava la sua cocciuta libertà subalpina
desiderosa di classici freni, trasparivano i primi segni della futura
perfezione. Aveva cantato la sua pura passione.

Io piangevo così note d'amore

come la cieca in sul quadrivio, volta
al sole, canta il suo buio dolore

e non s'avvede che nessun l'ascolta.

Ora non più; non più l'amore, ma l'indifferente ed ostile desiderio. La

Primavera l'ha guarita:

Scossi da me l'antico e il nuovo danno

e balzai, folle di desii fugaci,
incontro al riso d'ogni bell'inganno:

gli risi coi notturni occhi: — Mi piaci!

Conosce ora il fascino degli occhi ignoti, che abbagliano con un

vorace sguardo, conosce la gioia di mutare il vecchio laccio corroso
con un nuovo laccio di fiori, e gli sguardi che son “come mani
d'amanti, indugianti ignude entro un tesoro di feminee chiome„ e il
silenzio adescante dei parchi solitarii e la tentazione delle gemme
esposte nelle vetrine abbarbaglianti. Conosce la mano virile “lenta in
ogni suo gesto, ma febbrile nella carezza quasi da far male„ e
l'ebrietà dei profumi e la mollezza dei frutti rari e la frenesia del lusso
e la soavità delle morbide stoffe iridate:
So l'ombra delle piume in cui la faccia
s'imbianca d'un languor di passione
in cui la bocca bella, benchè taccia,

parla parole di seduzione.

Sente il calore soffocato delle voci che chiamano dall'ombra, l'oscura

nostalgia delle sere cittadine, il piacere di sferzare l'orgoglio
dell'amante, l'impura gioia di concedersi per carità. Ecco, una donna
incrocia col passo lento dei due amanti la sua rapidità leggera, e li
saetta di sotto il ciglio basso. Egli segue con l'occhio e col desiderio
la passante, ed esclama: Com'è bella! Essa lo lascia di scatto con un
gran riso “d'ilare odio e di pietà beffarda„. Conversazioni astiose,
congedi improvvisi, paci torbide, gelosie iraconde, menzogne
voluttuose, capricci malvagi, avventure sans lendemain, ansie per la
giovinezza che fugge, ricordi trepidi della purità conventuale,
convegni notturni e letture proibite, desiderii dell'ignoto e languide
convalescenze, segreti intimi e sogni inconfessabili: tutto il triste ed
arido ed infecondo arrovellio d'una bella donna senza religione e
senza cuore passa fissato in quadri di un'accecante intensità e d'una
stupefacente bellezza d'arte:

Io non so chi tu sia: so che una sera

noi ci gettammo l'anima negli occhi
con l'impeto di chi brama e non spera.

La ripigliammo cauti, quasi tocchi

da un dubbio, e ancora la scagliammo a segno
come la freccia cui convien che scocchi.

Senza accostarci, senza altro disegno

che quello di guardarci ebbri d'amore,
ma disgiunti da un qualche aspro ritegno.

Così il male durò. Più tentatore

d'allora, a tratti, il tuo volto m'abbaglia.
Curiosità di te mi punge il cuore,

desiderio di te me lo attanaglia.

Mi dispiace il verso, retorico e convenzionale, che ho sottolineato;

ma, nel rimanente, la passione convulsa è costretta dentro argini di
tale granitica solidità, che i poeti, non le poetesse, son pregati
d'imitare, se sanno. E così è tutto il resto; quando la protagonista
legge l'ultima lettera d'amore:

Balenan lampi nelle ciglia chine

della lettrice, e quando un mal represso
desio irrompe in parole ebbre alla fine,

ella ne freme come d'un amplesso;

e quando nelle vie crepuscolari segue, quasi invidiando, la cortigiana

imbellettata; e quando ripensa alle glorie ed agl'innumeri amori delle
attrici, e quando, deridendo un corteggiatore troppo timido, riepiloga
in quattro versi adamantini il suo glaciale disprezzo per se medesima
e per il suo sesso:

Ciascuna donna è come una via nuova

che alcun percorra in notte senza luna:
molte sorprese il passegger vi trova;

ma le affronta affidato alla fortuna.

Pari e patta: anche una donna può considerare gli uomini come vili
strumenti di piacere:

Poichè, se alcun le sue treccie ha disfatte

od impresse d'un morso la sua gola,
o lasciò le sue labbra più scarlatte,
ella è pur sempre quella che va sola.

Con questa feroce dichiarazione si conchiude il poema. Al quale

seguono taluni sonetti, più duri, più faticosi, meno precisi,
lampeggianti anch'essi di tali bellezze che basterebbero da soli a
rivelare un artista di prim'ordine; ma che, pubblicati in coda al
poema, impallidiscono. Viceversa, non vale la pena di accennare alle
strofe deboli e sbagliate che s'incontrano qua e là come isole di
pigrizia in questo lucido fiume di poesia. Trapiantate in un mediocre
volume di versi, le cose brutte della Guglielminetti vi farebbero
esclamare balzando dalla seggiola: c'è qualcuno qui dentro.
Annie Vivanti? Ma Annie Vivanti scherza col peccato, e si diverte un
mondo a piroettare con biricchina indecenza per scandalizzare i
seminaristi. Annie Vivanti è licenziosa; ma l'impudicizia della
Guglielminetti è rigidamente vereconda. Perchè la corruzione fatta
d'immaginazione più che di costume, e non di costume, è tragica,
non è frivola. Annie Vivanti somiglia ad Olindo Guerrini; Amalia
Guglielminetti somiglia alla cupa sensualità di d'Annunzio.
Intendiamoci bene: somiglia a d'Annunzio per la materia. Ha letto
l'Intermezzo, il Trionfo, la Laus Vitae (ricordate? “altre, pallide e
lasse, — riarse d'amore sino — alle midolle — perdute il cocente —
viso entro le chiome — con le nari come — inquiete alette, — con le
labbra come — parole dette, — con le palpebre come — le violette„).
Anch'ella adora le quattro divinità celebrate nella Laus: Volontà,
Voluttà, Orgoglio, Istinto. E nessun'altra. Gli somiglia pure nella
forma, perchè la Guglielminetti, italianissima e classicissima, così
classica che pare impossibile in una donna tanta precisione
d'immagine, di parola e perfin d'ortografia, si ricollega al più recente
maestro. Ma gli somiglia, a mo' d'esempio, come d'Annunzio somiglia
a Carducci: per parentela di discepolo a maestro, non per identità
d'imitatore a modello. La sua vorticosa originalità ha inghiottite ed
eliminate tutte le influenze. E ne è balzato alla luce un miracolo di
poesia.
La forma del verso, del periodo, della terzina è, se volete, un po'
troppo generica ed accademica; perfin troppo perfetta. Questa è la
principale colpa della Guglielminetti. Ma l'anima che vi spira dentro è
tutta sua e tutta nuova: l'amarezza del piacere, il fremito penoso del
desiderio instancabile, la fosca penombra del sogno illecito non
trovarono mai una espressione così austera nella sua impudicizia,
così solenne nella sua futilità. Verranno i moralisti e le caste amiche
a lamentarsi che tanto ingegno non sia messo al servizio del pudore
e non produca libri da additarsi a modello di “composizione italiana„
negli educandati. La Guglielminetti non perderà il tempo a
rispondere che la lascivia pornografica e ridanciana può essere
indegna dell'arte, non la lascivia passionale, che, essendo dolorosa,
esce purificata dalle sue stesse fiamme. Non ripeterà l'oziosa
autodifesa di Marziale: lasciva nobis pagina... — i nostri scritti sono
impudichi, la nostra vita è pura — ; poichè l'opera d'arte dev'essere
accettata o respinta com'opera d'arte, e non malignamente travisata
in un documento autobiografico.
Essa è ben degna di riconoscere se medesima e di percorrere la sua
via.
G. A. Borgese.
Da “La Vita e il Libro„. Editore Bocca. Torino.
 LE SEDUZIONI
LE VERGINI FOLLI
Le Seduzioni
QUELLA CHE VA SOLA
 le seduzioni

Colei che ha gli occhi aperti ad ogni luce

e comprende ogni grazia di parola
vive di tutto ciò che la seduce.

Io vado attenta, perchè vado sola,

e il mio sogno che sa goder di tutto,
se sono un poco triste mi consola.

In succo io ho spremuto ogni buon frutto,

ma non mi volli sazïare e ancora
nessun mio desiderio andò distrutto.

Perciò, pronta al fervor, l'anima adora

per la sua gioia, senza attender doni,
e, come un razzo in ciel notturno, ogni ora

mi sboccia un riso di seduzïoni.

 dolcezze

Questo m'abbaglia un attimo e scompare,

disperso in lieve polverio di fuoco
che cade dietro i monti o dentro il mare.

Solo una meraviglia di bel gioco

e uno sprazzo di luce entro i miei occhi
ne resta, che si spegne a poco a poco.

Ma sembrami talora che mi tocchi

una mano leggiera e di dolcezza
viva l'anima chiusa mi trabocchi.

E se cerco chi mai quella carezza

tentò nell'ombra con la man furtiva,
sorprendo la mia folle giovinezza

che sorridendo, muta, mi seguiva.

 la giovinezza

Giovinezza, a te sola io m'accompagno.

Tu sai tacere quando son serena,
sai parlare quand'io aspra mi lagno.

Sai ammonirmi con la voce piena

di blandizia: — Ma piangere che vale?
Meglio cantar con voce di sirena.

Mi baleni negli occhi un riso eguale

al tremore d'argento d'una stella,
meravigliando d'ogni mio gran male.

Tenti la lode e mormori: — Sei bella!

e scherzi: — Hai sui capelli una corona...
E m'accarezzi come una sorella

finch'io non ti sorrida: — E tu sei buona!

CIÒ CHE FU
 l'antico pianto

Quindi prosegua per cammini ombrosi,

a fior di labbro modulando un canto
che per me l'altra notte mi composi.

Poichè talor non piango io il mio pianto,

lo canto, e qualche mia triste canzone
fu come il sangue del mio cuore infranto.

Tempo fu che le mie forze più buone

stremai in canti a' piedi d'un Signore
che m'arse di ben vana passïone.

Io piangevo così note d'amore,

come la cieca in sul quadrivio, volta
al sole, canta il suo buio dolore

e non s'avvede che nessun l'ascolta.

 l'antico desiderio

Seduzïone più d'ogni altra forte,

prima d'ogni altra e più cruda fu quella
per cui l'invito io ti sorrisi, o Morte.

Per cui il desiderio che flagella

la prima volta, sgomentò di muto
stupor la mia verginità novella.

E mi conobbi mani di velluto

per le carezze lunghe, e per i nomi
cari una voce dolce di lïuto.

E sentii nella mia bocca gli aromi

d'un frutto al morso cupido maturo.
Ma l'acre impurità de' sensi indomi

mortificai con il mio orgoglio puro.

 l'antico male

Mortificai la mia anima schiava,

ma sotto cruda sferza di sarcasmi
l'incatenata più s'umilïava,

più inseguiva per vane ombre fantasmi

dolci d'amore, come chi per sete
succosi frutti col desio si plasmi.

E fatta a me nemica, con inquete

pupille e voce roca e gesto asprigno
snudavo l'ansie e le viltà segrete.

Freddo disdegno chiuso in freddo ghigno

m'oppose: — Donde vieni? E chi sei tu?
Ed io invocai gemendo quel benigno

sonno per cui non v'ha risveglio più.

 la guarigione

Ma alle porte del ciel spiò il domani

madonna Primavera, vïolette
sciolte recando nelle cave mani.

E colei che soffriva si godette

un poco di quel riso mattinale
che vestiva di fior tutte le vette.

E un'erba o un fiore buono pel suo male,

mossa a pietà, la bella maliarda
forse le insinuò sotto il guanciale.

Come un'inferma in cui vita riarda

a poco a poco, io errai quasi leggiera
per gli orti rosa, quasi già gagliarda

cantando: — Grazie, monna Primavera!