Essay on Isabel Allendes The House of the Spirits

Isabel Allendes The House of the Spirits In many novels, relationships shape a character. Throughout Isabel Allendes The House of the Spirits dissimilar individuals constantly come together to form relationships that change or develop their disposition. While Allende uses relationships to build upon a character, she also depicts a characters living environment in order to confirm their true soul and lifestyle. Due to the observation of both relationships and environments, a characters true qualities are expressed to a reader. The relationship between two individuals, Ferula and Clara, proves itself a positive product of the union of differing people. Through analysis of Ferulas home and close observation of her bond with Clara,†¦show more content†¦Ferula grew up always caring for others before herself. She assumed the role of her brother?s (Esteban) mother due to the fact that her mother fell ill. She ?slept with him, bathed him, took him for strolls, and did other people?s sewing from dawn till dusk to pay fo r his schooling?(42). Ferula felt an obligation to raise her younger brother, and in doing so, sacrificed her life for his benefit. Instead of giving to herself, Ferula felt compelled to give of herself in hopes to provide Esteban with everything she could. After Esteban reached manhood, Ferula?s life became geared to helping another member of her family, her mother. She felt constrained to giving up her own happiness and her own adult life in order to ?accept the role of her mother?s nurse?(42). By the time Ferula could realize what happened, her life became ?painted in drab colors?. Just as the houses in Ferula?s neighborhood became ?drab?, everyday of Ferula?s life became a monotonous routine. A routine where Ferula ?was ready at any moment to run in and administer her mother?s potions, hold her bedpan, or straighten her pillows?(42). Due to her constant compulsions to aid her family, Ferula lost many great parts of her life. She turned down two suitors, ?two windows? which would have allowed her to escape from her desolation. The feeling that she needed to remain by her mother?s side became greater than that of herShow MoreRelatedClassism and Political Upheaval in Isabel Allendes The House of the Spirits623 Words   |  3 PagesThe House of the Spirits written by Isabel Allende is an extraordinary novel that weaves together, history, politics, and current events to create a unique piece of literature. Throughout the novel on several occasions it is clear that there is inequality between the aristocrats and the peasants and this leads to struggle between the classes. The issue of class struggle takes the form of growing conflict by causing a division between the Conservatives and Socialists. 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This book was aRead MoreEssay about Magic Empowers Women in La Casa de Los Espiritus2266 Words   |  10 Pagesâ€Å"Magic empowers women in La casa de los espà ­ritus† Discuss. In Isabel Allende’s first novel, La casa de los espà ­ritus the reader is introduced to her use of magic as a means which enables women to feel â€Å"sustained in times of difficulty† and which â€Å"provides them with a power base† (Bennett, C. 2003:174). Interestingly, the women’s connection with the spiritual and magical stands in contrast to the men’s rejection of anything that doesn’t adhere to their strict perception of morbid reality. ThereforeRead MoreThe House Of Spirits By Isabel Allende1874 Words   |  8 PagesThe House full of Fighting Spirit The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende is a bewitching novel that captivates the reader from start to end. Allende uses various forms of literary techniques to capture important themes within the storyline. In the text, Allende expresses the way men dominate women as the female characters of the story are limited to make graver decisions past relying on their men. Though these women naturally seek approval from men this does not handicap them from stepping outsideRead MoreSupernatural Elements in Like Water for Chocolate and the House of the Spirits1004 Words   |  5 PagesA supernatural event is an event which, according to the laws of nature, cannot happen. In the two works that I have studied â€Å"Like water for chocolate† by Laura esquivel and â€Å"The house of the spirits† by Isabel allende, magic realism has been used as a common literary device to give the book a fantasy-like twist, making it very interesting and engaging. Magic realism stretches the boundaries of realism in order to stretch or widen the definition of reality. In Like Water for Chocolate, magic becomes