Female Genealogies And Female Growth:A Study On The Relationship Between Mother And Daughter In The Neapolitan Tetralogy

Elena Ferrante is an anonymous contemporary Italian female writer whose works are strongly feminist.It is worth noting that Ferrante mentioned the French feminist Luce Irigaray and Italian feminists have influence on her,the theory of "female genealogies"put forward by Irigaray and the theory of "entrustmentr" put forward by Italian feminists,in common that is focused on the mother-daughter relationship to help women growth.This fits in with "the Neapolitan Tetralogy",in which Ferrante first features two heroines,Lenon and Lila.Their relationship is more like that of mother and daughter than friendship.This kind of relationship supports each other to go through the difficulties of growth together,showing the importance of mother-daughter relationship to the growth of women.To explore the relationship between mother and daughter in "the Neapolitan Tetralogy" with the theory of female genealogies can have a deeper understanding of"the Neapolitan tetralogy".The thesis consists of three parts:introduction,body and conclusion.The body is divided into four chapters.The first chapter explores the phenomenon of female genealogies breaking in the mother-daughter relationship in "the Neapolitan Tetralogy".Under the care of the "female genealogies" theory,the rupture of female genealogies is mainly manifested in the communication barrier between mother and daughter,and the relationship between mother and daughter tends to antagonism and imbalance.The patriarchal culture of Neapolitan society is the root cause of this phenomenon,as women blindly identify with violence,excessive pursuit of money,and total obedience to religion.The second chapter focuses on the lost and pursuit of Lenon,the narrator of "the Neapolitan Tetralogy",as a daughter.In Lacan's "mirror image" perspective,Lenon and Lila contrast.Lenon shows signs of aphasia,physical and mental development imbalance and cunning that mark her inability to grow up.She therefore tries to gain the strength to grow by seeking the ideal mother and male identity,but in the end she remains silent.She then sought the help of Lila,who had a special mother-daughter relationship with Lenon.The third chapter explores the connection of female genealogies in the relationship between mother and daughter.The relationship between Lenon and Lila can be found by using the theory of mythological archetypal criticism and the theory of "entrustment"advocated by Italian feminists.Lila had a maternal quality.She was both the symbol of Neapolitan origin and of the great mother god,so she became Lenon's mother in the relationship of trust.With the help of her symbolic mother,Lenon gained the strength to grow.She also reconciled with her real mother and recognized her identity as a mother,protecting her daughter,and the real mother-daughter relationship was rebuilt.Chapter four discusses the confrontation and growth of Neapolitan women.Lenon and Lila's feelings toward each other are contradictory and complex,but in Lenon's act of redemption,they finally complete the bond of relationship.At the same time,they fought against the patriarchal culture,talked about the pleasure of women,and stepped out of the bondage of their wives' identities.Finally,they completed the purpose of competing the patriarchal discourse through female writing.The epilogue briefly analyzes the changes of mother-daughter relationship in "the Neapolitan Tetralogy",which is the basic relationship in the "female genealogies".The value of Elena Ferrante's book on mother-daughter relationships is that the female genealogies can reflect the plight of women in the real world,reduce conflicts and antagonism among women,and restore harmonious relationships among women.