All Our Brilliant Friends – The Atlantic

Report on the Influence of Contemporary Feminist Literature on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Literary Works as a Vehicle for SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

An analysis of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet reveals its significant impact on contemporary literature and its alignment with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The novels, which chronicle the friendship between two women in postwar Italy, serve as a profound exploration of themes central to SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The international success of the series has influenced subsequent works, mainstreaming complex feminist discourse and embedding SDG-related themes into popular culture.

Analysis of the Neapolitan Quartet Through an SDG Framework

SDG 4: Quality Education and Social Mobility

The narrative of the Neapolitan Quartet provides a compelling case study on the role of education in achieving social and economic mobility, a core tenet of SDG 4.

• The protagonist Elena’s trajectory is defined by her access to formal education, which enables her to transcend the poverty and social limitations of her Naples neighborhood.
• Conversely, the character of Lila, despite her innate brilliance, is denied educational opportunities, illustrating the systemic barriers that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential.
• The novels underscore that equitable access to quality education is a critical determinant for women’s empowerment and their ability to participate fully in society.

SDG 5: Gender Equality and Female Empowerment

The series offers an in-depth examination of the challenges to achieving gender equality within a patriarchal society.

• It portrays the complexities of female friendships, which function as spaces of both solidarity and intense competition shaped by societal pressures.
• The story documents the evolution of postwar feminism in Italy, reflecting the characters’ struggles for personal and professional autonomy.
• By detailing the misogyny and structural obstacles the characters face, the narrative highlights the persistent need for action to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Set against the backdrop of a poor neighborhood in Naples, the quartet functions as a social history of class struggle and economic disparity in postwar Italy, directly addressing the concerns of SDG 10.

Thematic Influence on Contemporary Fiction and Broader SDG Alignment

Case Study: Ella Berman’s L.A. Women

The influence of Ferrante’s work is evident in subsequent commercial fiction, such as Ella Berman’s novel L.A. Women. This novel adopts similar narrative structures and themes, demonstrating the mainstreaming of feminist issues.

1. The plot centers on a successful female writer whose “brilliant friend” has disappeared, mirroring the premise of the Neapolitan Quartet.
2. The narrative explores the professional and personal competition between two intellectually gifted women navigating a male-dominated environment.
3. It engages directly with feminist questions and misogyny, situating these complex discussions within an accessible, commercial genre.

Mainstreaming Feminist Discourse and Advancing SDG 5

The commercial success of novels like the Neapolitan Quartet and L.A. Women signifies a cultural shift toward the broader acceptance and exploration of feminist themes.

• The integration of these topics into popular fiction and their adaptation into other media, such as television series, contributes to a wider public dialogue on gender equality.
• This trend suggests an increased market appetite for narratives that address the systemic issues at the heart of SDG 5.
• By making these conversations part of mainstream entertainment, such works help normalize and advance the social understanding required to achieve gender equality.

Conclusion: The Role of Literature in Promoting Sustainable Development

The literary phenomenon initiated by Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet demonstrates the powerful role of cultural products in exploring and promoting the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals. These narratives provide nuanced examinations of the interconnectedness of quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10). The extension of these themes into commercial fiction indicates a significant cultural shift, where complex social issues are integrated into popular entertainment. This trend supports the cultural work necessary to foster more inclusive and equitable societies as envisioned by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article is fundamentally centered on issues of gender equality, explored through the lens of literature and female relationships. It discusses the evolution of feminist narratives, the challenges faced by women in a “male-centered milieu,” and the cultural impact of art that addresses gender dynamics. The text explicitly mentions “postwar feminism,” “feminism’s intractable questions,” and how recent novels “dig into the misogyny that remains culturally rooted among men and women alike.” These themes directly align with the core mission of SDG 5, which is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• While closely linked to SDG 5, the article also touches upon the broader theme of reducing inequalities. It highlights the systemic disadvantages women face in the literary world, where “a woman can succeed only at another’s expense.” This points to an unequal playing field. The characters’ struggles with misogyny and their differing views on the feminist movement reflect a societal conversation about power imbalances and the need to address inequalities based on gender.

2. Specific Targets Identified

Targets under SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

   The article implies this target by repeatedly discussing the theme of misogyny. The characters in the novels navigate a world where they face gender-based prejudice. For instance, the character Lane is confronted by a man who snarls, “You think you’re smarter than me,” and the narrative explores how both protagonists experience misogyny, even if they react to it differently. The article concludes by noting an “appetite among American readers for works that… dig into the misogyny that remains culturally rooted among men and women alike,” highlighting the cultural struggle against this form of discrimination.

2. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life.

   This target is relevant to the discussion of women’s careers as writers and their struggle for recognition in the public and cultural sphere. The article describes how Gala “never achieved the literary fame that Lane knows she deserves” and how, in their “male-centered milieu, a woman can succeed only at another’s expense.” This illustrates the barriers to equal opportunity and full participation for women in the creative industries. The success of Elena Ferrante’s novels, despite initial skepticism from publishers, also speaks to the ongoing effort for women’s voices to be fully represented and valued in public life.

3. Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.

   The article does not mention specific policies or legislation. However, it points to a significant cultural shift that creates a supportive environment for such policies. It suggests that “the status of feminist writing has seen a true shift” and that “feminist art is getting fun,” indicating a broader societal acceptance and normalization of feminist principles. This cultural change, reflected in popular media like novels and the movie Barbie, is a crucial precursor to strengthening social norms and public demand for policies that promote gender equality.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

Indicators for SDG 5 Targets

• For Target 5.1 (End discrimination): An implied indicator is the prevalence and nature of feminist themes in mainstream commercial fiction. The article notes that it is “telling that a novel that’s clearly meant to be entertaining also engages so intensely with some of feminism’s intractable questions.” The presence of “intriguing conversations about misogyny” in a commercial novel serves as a qualitative indicator of society’s increasing willingness to confront and discuss discrimination against women.
• For Target 5.5 (Full participation): An implied indicator is the critical and commercial success of literary works created by and centered on women. The article provides concrete examples: Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend being voted the 21st century’s best book by writers, its adaptation into an HBO series, and the commercial success of novels like L.A. Women. This success measures the growing influence and participation of women in the cultural landscape.
• For Target 5.c (Strengthen policies/norms): An implied indicator is the shift in public appetite and perception regarding feminist art. The article states that “feminist art is getting fun” and that there is a growing “appetite among American readers for works that… dig into the misogyny.” This shift from niche or purely “serious” art to enjoyable, mainstream entertainment (like Barbie) indicates a change in social norms and a broader cultural embrace of gender equality principles, which is a key aspect of this target.

4. Summary Table of Findings

Source: theatlantic.com