We spoke in class about the complicated, yet unique relationship between Lenu and Lila, which is a form of give and take; Lenu is able to improve because of Lila and vice versa. It is possible that over the course of their friendship Lila’s influence managed to subvert Lenu’s identity. It is by this notion that I am beginning to notice that Lenu is becoming Lila, for she is exhibiting familiar acts that we have seen from Lila.

In the third volume, Lila leaves her son to Elena so she can pursue her career. We see this again in the fourth volume, but this time from Lenu, in which she leaves her children in the care of Adelle so she can pursue her needs (Ferrante 37),both of which expressed the same level of selfishness to put their needs above everyone else. In addition, Lenu puts Pietro and her children in an uncomfortable position when she leaves them (30). This is familiar, for Lila puts Lenu in the same uncomfortable position in the second volume when she leaves her to be the “lookout” while she is with Nino. Finally, Lenu thinks blindly about her needs, in which she foolishly claims her devotion towards Nino (35). Furthermore, Lenu is indifferent to the consequences, for she believes everything will work out in the end. Again, we have seen this before in the second volume when Lila begins her affair with Nino, despite Lenu ‘s many warnings. There Lila truly believes that no one will find out about her affair, for she believes that situations eventually works itself out.