The View From Lake Como

Jess grows up with the knowledge that there is a certain “role” her family expects her to play, so she gives up on attending her dream college when her parents ask her to, marries hometown hero Bobby Bilancia, and accepts the carer role for her family after she ends that relationship. The pressure to conform to these roles leads to Jess’s anxiety attacks and lack of self-respect. When she begins to prioritize courage over conformity, however, she not only gains self-confidence but also happiness and peace.

When the novel begins, Jess is already aware that she is unhappy with conformity, but she doesn’t have a plan to break off into her own path. She understands that she needs to get away from her parents, but she also fears being by herself. She has recently begun to pursue renting her own apartment in nearby Hoboken, but she hasn’t taken the steps to actually secure it. Further, Jess dreams of Italy, admitting, “I wanted to see the villages of my ancestors. Truthfully, I was afraid to go alone” (19). Jess is often conflicted about her desire to be a “good girl” and her wish for greater independence. Feeling at odds with herself produces more anxiety and creates a lack of self-esteem because Jess feels weak and ineffective.