Through the Eyes of Elena Ferrante, Part 1: A Look at Naples with a Historian

Explore the neighborhoods of Naples through a discussion of the "My Brilliant Friend" novels
US$27
Preview Lecture
US$27
Watch on your schedule, you will receive a link to watch the lecture online immedately upon purchase.
Duration
1 hour and 15 minutes
Product Type
Lecture
Lecture Details
Photos & Highlights
  • Presented by the same world-class experts as our walking tours, Context Lectures highlight must-see attractions, reveal hidden landmarks, and explore the best things to do during your trip so you don’t miss a thing.
  • Author Danielle Oteri will explore how Naples' neighborhoods and language influence the narrative of novels like "My Brilliant Friend," providing viewers with a deeper understanding of the protagonists and Naples itself as a character shaping their lives.
Lecture Description
Elena Ferrante (a pseudonymous Italian novelist) has taken the literary world by storm in recent years, exposing stories of the female experience in postwar Italy up until today. Her depictions of friendship, violence, love, poverty, and determination have resounded among millions of readers while the vivid settings of her Neapolitan novels have caused a wave of Ferrante pilgrims visiting this characterful city. Join an expert in this field on a virtual visit to Naples inspired by Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Quartet "My Brilliant Friend." 

Fair warning, there will be book spoilers! 
Meet Your Expert
Danielle

Danielle Oteri is an expert on art and architecture in Southern Italy. She was a Lecturer at the Met Cloisters and Program Director of the International Center of Medieval Art. Danielle has written about art, history, food, and travel for Conde Nast Traveler, Gothamist, NPR, The Paris Review, and Roads & Kingdoms. She founded Feast Travel, Arthur Avenue Food Tours, and Cilento Food Tours.

This lecture will use the novels to understand how the various neighborhoods–where the critical scenes are set–help to define the narrative. We'll visit the Rione Luzzati where the books are primarily set, as well as the Piazza Dei Martiri, the Retifilo, and the island of Ischia. We’ll learn more about the culture of Naples in the 1950s to better understand the characters and their positions in life. Knowing this Neapolitan history will give readers deeper insight into the protagonists and stories. We’ll also discuss how the Neapolitan language (described as dialect) and the Italian language each evolved and their social implications. 

Danielle Oteri is herself the author of Ferrante Fever: A Naples Guidebook Inspired by Elena Ferrante and is a true expert on this subject, along with other aspects of Naples and Southern Italy. This interactive lecture will focus on details from My Brilliant Friend that would be unfamiliar to non-Italian readers. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of how Naples is its own character that shapes the expectations and outcomes for Lila and Lenù.
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Our recorded lectures typically run for 60 minutes.

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Absolutely! Gift cards can be purchased here. Gift cards are good for 365 days from the date of purchase.
(4.82) 76 Reviews

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I am grateful to Ms. Oteri for providing us a rich and textured visit through Ferrante's Naples. She was clearly in charge of her material and her enthusiasm came through in a delightful way. i will look for other tours or conversations with her.
This session was an interesting romp through Naples using the character development of the girlhood friends, Elena and Lila. Ms. Oteri really demonstrated how the city is also a character in these 4 novels. Her presentation clarified some questions that I had while reading the first novel. The tours of the various sections of Naples helped in understanding the living conditions, the history which impacted the people (WW II) there, and the social climate in the '50s. Ms. Oteri does admit that her discussion might be a spoiler alert if one has not read all the novels. It was enlightening to see the areas of Rione Luzzati where the books' tales begin but then also have a peek at the more affluent sections that are relevant in the stories. It was great to see what could be the school, library, and piazzas where the girls and friends are seen. I loved seeing some important areas of Naples (past and present), the underground Greek cisterns and Roman theaters, and the visit to Ischia (a wonderful tour). Maps and aerial views were informative. Now, one can get a better perspective on how the city was during the time of the novels. The open discussion at the end focused on common questions that readers could have about the plots, the author (a pseudonym), who did it (a murder), and the lives of the working class in a Neopolitan ghetto.This session helped me understand more clearly the issues that were brought out in the novels showcased some great areas of the city!
This seminar was extremely interesting and well organized; Danielle brought the Ferrante books alive! Fans of her Neapolitan Quartet will really enjoy this seminar. I've been to Italy several times but never to Naples, and now I definitely want to go.