Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay

Lila has recently had many burdens: the deplorable conditions at the salami factory where she works, her worries over Gennaro, and the deep sense of dissatisfaction she feels within her own mind, which is “too easily scattered” (107). She finds respite in Enzo’s steadfastness; he offers her companionship and support without pressuring her for a sexual relationship, despite his romantic feelings for her. Enzo encourages Lila’s brilliance; he beseeches her to help him study for his correspondence course on computer coding, and their evenings of study bring Lila a sense of stability and calm. Lila worries that Enzo might choose to leave her. Although his absence would not devastate her economically, it would leave her emotionally untethered. Lila also worries about Gennaro’s upbringing—she wants to cultivate his intelligence but lacks the tools to do so.

The women Lila works with at the salami factory are expected to endure unwanted sexual advances from the men. Lila was exempt from this harassment when she first began working there because of her acquaintance with the owner, Bruno Soccavo, a friend of Nino’s whom Elena and Lila met during vacation on Ischia in The Story of a New Name. However, Lila falls from Soccavo’s good graces when he tries to make an advance on her and she rejects him unequivocally.