Summary

Chapter 2 opens with Delia feeling relieved during Amalia’s funeral because she realized that she didn’t have to worry about her mother anymore. Then, Delia got her menstrual period during the funeral, yet remained unconcerned with the blood running down her legs. During the funeral procession, Ferrante distinguishes Delia’s two sisters, who remain unnamed, as Delia held one sister’s arm to keep her upright and the other sister held on to Delia. Delia’s sisters were offended that Delia had not cried and made excuses for their father not attending the funeral. Delia felt that her sisters were trying to outdo her by crying enough to make up for the tears that Delia and her father did not shed. Delia noticed one of her father’s Gypsy paintings at the funeral, instead of the man himself. Delia expressed her anger at...