IB English HL I
2023-24
Dr. Malashewski
The Lying Life of Adults Journal #1
Selected passage
(inc. page #)
“I didn’t respond in a
meaningful way, I merely
uttered a few cautious or
monosyllabic phrases. But at
the same time I thought with
revulsion: so I am taking on
the features of a person who
wants my father dead, my
family ruined, and the tears
flowed again. Noticing, my
mother tried to stop them.”
(Ferrante 34)
Analysis
In Elena Ferrante’s The Lying Life of Adults, protagonist Giovanna
Marengo discovers that she must navigate the hardships of familial
discord and personal identity, illuminated through her emotional
response to her parents’ escalating marital tension. Giovanna’s
diction, “few cautious or monosyllabic phrases” represents not only
her emotional restraint but also hints at a deeper psychological
defense mechanism honed through exposure to her family’s
tumultuous dynamics. The incorporation of the term “revulsion” to
her declaration adds an additional layer of complexity to Giovanna’s
emotional landscape, which indicates a profound aversion towards
aligning herself with those who harbor ill intentions towards her
family. Therefore, Giovanna’s deeply ingrained sense of loyalty is
underscored through this visceral reaction, employing readers to
contemplate broader thematic explorations of moral integrity and
internal conflict between familial duty and self-preservation.
Moreover, the recurrence of tears serves as a paramount reminder of
the cyclical nature of familial strife and its enduring impact on
Giovanna’s psyche. Which illuminates Ferrante’s intricate
employment of literary techniques such as imagery, characterization,
and symbolism to offer readers a nuanced portrayal of Giovanna’s
internal turmoil and to explore the intricate interplay between
personal identity formation and the enduring influence of familial
bonds. Furthermore, Giovanna’s mother’s intervention serves as a
perpetrating reminder of the limitations of parental influence in
assuring the emotional turmoil provided through familial discord,
meanwhile highlighting the universal theme of enduring struggle to
reconcile conflicting emotions amidst familial strife. Through this
richly textured narrative, Ferrante invites readers to delve deep into
the complexities of human emotion and the enduring power of
familial ties in shaping individual identity and personal
development.
“These words of hers I’ve
never been able to erase. They
came unexpectedly, I would
never have imagined that she
could say them to me. Of
course, she treated me like an
adult, and I was glad that from
the start she had abandoned
the proper way to speak to a
girl of thirteen. But still, what
she said was so surprising that
I was tempted to put my
hands over my ears. I didn’t, I
didn’t move, I couldn’t even
avoid her gaze, which sought
in my face the effect of the
words. It was, in short,
physically–yes,
physically–overwhelming,
her-speaking to me like that,
there, in the cemetery, in front
of the portrait of Enzo,
without worrying that
someone might hear her.”
(Ferrante 75)
In Giovanna’s evocative passage in the novel, she recounts a
formative moment in her adolescent journey, characterized by the
unexpected and emotionally overwhelming words of her aunt
Vittoria. Giovanna’s declaration, “These words of hers I’ve never
been able to erase,” resonates deeply with the reader, emphasizing
the enduring impact of Giovanna’s encounter with her aunt Vittoria
and taking a massive toll on her identity. Illuminating how Ferrante
deftly employs the literary device of retrospection to imbue the
passage with a sense of introspection and emotional weight, inviting
readers to delve into Giovanna’s innermost thoughts and feelings.
Moreover, the revelation that Giovanna never imagined such words
from her aunt underscore her aunt’s disregard for social decorum,
evident throughout their intimate conversation regarding her aunt’s
sexual affairs with her ex partner within the public space of a
cemetery. In which, this instance challenges conventional notions of
propriety, promoting readers to question societal norms and
expectations. The incorporation of imagery in the novel, particularly
through the mention of the cemetery and the portrait of Enzo,
highlights the depth of the scene, evoking a sense of solemnity and
introspection. Through this profound exploration of unexpected
encounters alongside the interplay between vulnerability and
agency, Ferrante invites readers to contemplate the transformative
power of interpersonal connections in shaping individual identity
and personal growth. Meanwhile, also highlighting the complexities
of familial relationships and the influence of older generations on
the coming of age journey.
IB English HL I
2023-24
Dr. Malashewski
The Lying Life of Adults Journal #2
Selected passage
(inc. page #)
“We intuited, for example,
that it had to do with sex, not
Marxism, but not the sex that
interested and amused us in
every circumstance; we felt
that, completely unexpectedly,
a form of sex was erupting
into our lives that wasn't
attractive, that in fact
disgusted us, because we dimly
perceived that it had to do not
with our bodies, or the bodies
of our contemporaries, or
actors and singers, but with
the bodies of our parents.
Sex—we imagined— had
drawn them into something
sticky and repulsive, utterly
different from what they
themselves had taught us.
According to Ida, the words
that Mariano and my father
had shouted at each other gave
the idea of feverish spitting, of
threads of mucus that smeared
every-thing, especially our
most secret desires.” (Ferrante
122)
Analysis
Elena Ferrante’s, A Lying Life of Adults, unfolds a disquieting
revelation, immersing the reader in a vivid exploration of the
complexities surrounding the intersection of sexuality,
disillusionment, and familial dynamics. Giovanna’s use of the term
“erupting” invokes a visceral image of an abrupt and disruptive
emergence, an unexpected intrusion that disrupts the harmonious
facade of Giovanna’s youthful perspective. The metaphorical
language, “feverish spitting” and “threads of mucus,” skillfully
employs synesthetic imagery to convey the repulsive and
contaminating nature of the newfound understanding of adult
sexuality. These elements serve as powerful metaphors, unveiling a
dimension of sex that starkly contrasts with the previously alluring
and amusing facets experienced by Giovanna and her peers in other
contexts. The symbolic significance of the Marxism allusion adds
depth, emphasizing the incongruity between utopian ideologies and
the messy, personal realm of intimate relationships. This
juxtaposition functions as a powerful invitation for readers to reflect
on the broader societal implications of disillusionment. Wherein,
this theme reverberates throughout the novel's narrative, challenging
the characters’ preconceived notions about morality and propriety.
The shattered illusions extend beyond the sexual realm, impacting
Giovanna’s understanding of herself and her familial relationships.
Ferrante masterfully weaves this theme into the fabric of the story,
creating a resonant and universal exploration of the human
experience.. Moreover, the first-personal plural pronoun “we”
fosters a collective narrative, emphasizing the shared sense of
disquiet among Giovanna and her peers as they navigate the
uncomfortable truths about their parents. In addition, the mention
of “our most secret desires” introduces a layer of intimacy,
highlighting the vulnerability inherent in confronting tense truths
about one’s origins. Ultimately, this passage serves as a microcosm

“I felt lost, why am I here, why
do I want this thing. I felt no
desire, it didn't seem like a fun
game, I wasn't even curious,
the smell that came from that
large, tense, compact
excrescence was unpleasant.
Anxious, I hoped that
someone— a mother taking
her children out for a
walk-would see us from the
path and shout reproaches and
insults. But there was no one,
and since he didn't say
anything, in fact to me he
seemed in a daze, I decided on
a light kiss, a light touch of the
lips. Luckily, it was enough.
He mediately put his thing
back into his pants and let out
a short, hoarse cry.” (Ferrante
164)
for the broader narrative’s exploration of identity and self-discovery.
Giovanna’s journey becomes emblematic of the universal quest for
understanding one’s place in the world, complicated by the messy
realities of adulthood. Ferrante’s employment of a rich figurative
language, infusing the text with a profound emotional resonance,
compels readers to grapple with the discomfort and repulsion
experienced by the characters.
In Ferrante’s evocative passage, Giovanna’s internal turmoil unfolds
as she grapples with an unsettling encounter, revealing the
dissonance between her expectations and the uncomfortable reality.
The narrator’s existential questioning, encapsulation in the
introspective lament, “why am I here, why do I want this thing,”
speaks to a profound sense of disorientation and inner conflict. The
absence of desire and curiosity contrasts starkly with the expectation
of a “fun game,” setting the stage for a narrative exploration of the
complexities surrounding youthful experiences. The incorporation
of metaphorical language, describing the encounter as a “large,
tense, compact excrescence,” introduces a visceral and unsettling
image, reinforcing the discomfort Giovanna feels. The smell
emanating from this encounter becomes a sensory symbol, adding a
layer of repulsion that intensifies Giovanna’s unease. Furthermore,
the passage also navigates the theme of societal expectations and
judgment through the protagonist’s envious hope for external
reproaches and insults, symbolizing the desire for societal norms to
intervene and condemn the uncomfortable situation. The absence
of such external condemnation intensifies the isolation and
discomfort felt by Giovanna, emphasizing the narrative’s exploration
of individual experiences amidst societal norms. The decision to
initiate a “light kiss, a light touch of the lips” becomes a pivotal
moment, highlighting the narrator’s agency in navigating an
uncomfortable situation and asserting control. The immediacy of
the other character’s response, hastily retracting and emitting a “ort,
hoarse cry,” adds a layer of tension and surprise, underscoring the
unpredictability of human interactions. Therefore, Ferrante’s
masterful incorporation of language, from Giovanna’s internal
monologue to the vivid descriptions and symbolic elements, creates
a narrative that delves into the complexities of personal boundaries,
societal expectations, and the nuanced exploration of desire and
discomfort.
IB English HL I
2023-24
Dr. Malashewski
The Lying Life of Adults Journal #3
Selected passage
(inc. page #)
“As soon as Roberto stopped
speaking, my aunt dragged me
over to Giuliana. I was struck
by how she had changed; her
beauty seemed infantile to me.
She has no makeup, I thought,
she’s not wearing a woman’s
colors, and I felt uneasy about
my short skirt, my lipstick and
heavy eye makeup, my low
neckline. I’m out of place, I
said to myself, while Giuliana
whispered: I’m so happy to see
you, did you like him? I
murmured a few confused
words of compliments for her,
enthusiasm for her boyfriend’s
words.” (Ferrante 178).
Analysis
In Ferrante’s novel, The Lying Life of Adults, the protagonist
Giovanna finds herself in a moment of profound self awareness and
unease as she encounters Giuliana, her cousin, after hearing her
boyfriend Roberto’s astounding speech. Roberto concluded his
speech, and immediately Giovanna’s aunt, Vittoria, hurriedly
brought her to Giuliana and prompted Giovanna to observe her
cousin’s altered appearance. This highlights that Giuliana’s once
admired beauty now appears juvenile to Giovanna’s eyes, devoid of
makeup and what Giovanna perceives as “womans colors.”
Therefore, this juxtaposition between Giuliana’s natural state and
Giovanna’s adorned appearance prompts a sudden discomfort
within Giovanna. This causes her to become acutely conscious of
her own attire: her short skirt, lipstick, heavy eye makeup, and low
neckline. Giovanna’s differing characteristics lead her to perceive
herself as excessive and inappropriate in relation to Giuliana’s
simplicity. This discernment deepens Giovanna’s sense of
displacement through her internal acknowledgement that she is out
of place in this setting. Meanwhile, Giuliana’s whispered inquiry
regarding Roberto reveals her eagerness for validation, seeking
Giovanna’s approval of her boyfriend. Despite Giovanna’s inner
turmoil and feelings of inadequacy, she manages to muster a few
vague words of praise for Giuliana and feigned enthusiasm for
Roberto’s words, attempting to conceal her discomfort and uphold
the facade of familial harmony. This moment encapsulates
Giovanna’s struggle with self perception, societal expectations, and
the complexities of familial relationships, which highlight the
authenticity and societal norms in her coming-of-age journey.
Therefore, Giovanna’s internal conflict and her attempt to navigate
the expectations imposed upon her by both family and society serve
as paramount themes of the discovery of identity, adolescence, and

“She murmured that we had
to protect what we were, we
had to be aware of ourselves.
And she got angry, angry in a
way she never was, but not
with me, now she obsessively
traced every trouble of mine
back to Vittoria. She said that
in this way I was supporting
her, that my aunt wanted to
make me like her in my
behavior, in my words, in
everything. Her small eyes
sank further into her face, her
bones seemed to be nearly
breaking the skin. She said
slowly: she wants to use you to
prove that your father and I
are all appearance, that while
we have risen a little, you will
plummet, and everything will
even out.” (Ferrante 208).
social conformity explored throughout Ferrante’s intricate novel.
Ferrante deliberately employs embroilment on behalf of Giovanna
throughout the conversation with her mother which is steeped in
tension and simmering with unspoken resentment towards her aunt
Vittoria. Throughout their dialogue, Giovanna’s mother, in a tone
laden with both urgency and anger, imparts upon her daughter a
solemn imperative: the necessity to safeguard their identity and
remain vigilant of external influences. Wherein, this outburst of
emotion marks a departure from her usual demeanor, indicative of
the gravity of the situation as she delves into her deep-seated
grievances against Vittoria. Giovanna’s mother attributes every
perceived hardship in Giovanna’s life to her aunt, framing Vittoria as
a looming threat to their familial integrity. In addition, with a
palpable sense of distress etched upon her face, Giovanna’s mother
articulates her fear of Vittoria’s insidious intentions by warning her
daughter of the imminent danger of being molded into a replica of
her aunt. Therefore, the intensity of her mother’s emotions is
perceptible as she delineates Vittoria’s alleged agenda, which is to
exploit Giovanna as a means to discredit her parents, to dismantle
the facade of their social ascent, and to prove their superficiality by
orchestrating Giovanna’s downfall. Moreover, as her mother speaks,
the weight of her words hangs heavily in the air, underscored by the
gravity of the familial rift and the looming specter of betrayal.
Therefore, this conversation serves as a pivotal moment in
Giovanna’s understanding of the intricate dynamics within her
family and casts a shadow of doubt and suspicion over her
relationship with her aunt. Prompting Giovanna to grapple with
questions about loyalty, authenticity, and the price of familial
allegiance. Consequently, through this exchange, Ferrante skillfully
explores the complexities of familial ties and the corrosive impact of
resentment and betrayal on the fabric of kinship, which invites
readers to contemplate the fragile interplay between loyalty and self
preservation in the face of familial discord.