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Ch. 1: Rosa the Beautiful
¾ Plot
o The del Valle family at Mass (3)
Severo ‐ Parliament
o Clara’s comment in the church (7)
o Esteban Trueba (6, 20)
Love for Rosa
o Uncle Marcos’ death (9)
o Liberal Party Celebration (24)
Clara’s Vision
Rosa’s Death (26)
Esteban’s reaction
¾ Characterization
¾ The del Valle Family
o Severo del Valle: (3)
An atheist, but makes appearances in church to further his political
ambitions
Becomes the Liberal party candidate in the congressional elections
After Rosa’s death resigns from the party and hopes that “none of his
descendents would ever get mixed up in politics” (29)
¾ Nivea del Valle (3)
wishes to secure a vote for women
gave birth to 15 children, 11 of whom survived
¾ Rosa del Valle (4)
18 years old
maritime beauty and grace; green hair, yellow eyes, bluish tinted skin
embroidering the “largest tablecloth in world9 D with unearthly creatures (6)
dies as a casualty to her father’s political career; mistakenly poisoned (26)
¾ Clara del Valle (1)
10 years old
Clara’s statement: “Psst! Father Restrepo! If that story about hell is a lie, we’re
all fucked, aren’t we…” leads to accusations of being possessed by the devil
(7).
An eccentric child: has the ability to move objects and make prophecies
Predicts the death of Rosa (25)
Witnesses the autopsy and violation of her sister, causing her to go into her
silence of nine years (38)
¾ Uncle Marcos (9)
Nivea’s brother
A voyager and explorer, also quite eccentric
Dies of an African plague Nana (4)
¾ Barrabas (1)
arrives on Holy Thursday with the body of Uncle Marcos
unlimited capacity for growth
¾ The Trueba Family
o Dona Ester Trueba (2)
Mentioned only briefly when Father Restrepo accuses her of being the
“shameless hussy who prostitutes herself down by the docks” (2)
Her disabling arthritis is also mentioned (2)
o Ferula Trueba (23)
helps Esteban get closer to the del Valle family so that he can court Rosa
o Esteban Trueba (5)
the second narrator (20)
25 years old
Rosa’s fiancé
absent for two years, working in the mines of the North
heartbroken over Rosa’s death
¾ Other
o Father Restrepo (2)
‐ fanatic in his “vocational zeal”
‐ believes in a good thrashing
‐ accuses random parishioners of ridiculous sins they have not committed
‐ it was his “mission in this world to raise the conscience of his indolent Creole
flock” (3)
‐ accuses Clara of being possessed by the devil (7)
o Dr. Cuevas (26)
the del Valle’s doctor
performs Rosa’s autopsy (29)
o Dr. Cuevas’ assistant
violates Rosa in her death (39)
¾ Conflicts
o Barbaras is introduced (1)
o Del Valle family getting cursed by the church (7)
o Severo’s political career (9)
o Uncle Marcos (15)
o Clara’s powers (15)
o Rosa the beautiful and Esteban (24)
o Clara predicting Rosa’s death (25)
o Rosa’s death (26)
o Rosa’s Autopsy (30)
o Clara’s silence begins (39)
¾ Thematic Ideas
o Introduction to the Power of Women
Nivea’s fight for Suffrage (6)
Clara’s clairvoyance (15‐16)
o Struggle Between Classes
Esteban’s time in the mines (20‐24)
o Political Aspirations
Severo wants to be in the Parliament (3, 9)
• “resign[s] from the Liberal Party […and] he hope[s] none of his
descendants would ever get mixed up in politics…” (29‐30)
o Religion
Severo is atheist, but attends Mass (3)
Nivea is Catholic, but prefers quiet practice (3)
Father Restrepo curses Clara in church (7)
o Family
Closeness of de Valle family
o Life and Death
Rosa’s Death (26)
o Magic Realism
Real vs. Supernatural
• Church vs. Rosa’s beauty/Clara’s clairvoyance
• View of Esteban vs. his actual appearance
Time
• Shift from time in church to Rosa’s birth to church
Carnivalesque atmosphere
• “nightmarigh zoology” (6)
Characterization
• Rosa specifically
• Nivea
Ch. 2: The Three Marías
¾ Plot
o Esteban returns home (41, 42)
o Ferula and Doña Ester are introduced (41‐43)
o The introduction of Tres Marías (49‐51)
o Tres Marías is turned into a money‐making estate (52‐53)
o Esteban becoming the patrón (51)
o Esteban fathering an illegitimate child (57‐58)
With Pancha, one of the servants
o The introduction of Transito and the transaction (68‐69)
o Esteban returns to the capital to see dying mother (71‐72)
¾ Characterization
o Esteban Trueba
Strong, independent worker
Patrón of Tres Marias; shows a strong hand in such grand affairs
Is known for his temper and dictator like attitude in which he rules with and iron
clad fist.
Wants to find a significant other in his life
Raped Pancha Garcia in which she then became pregnant
‐ “His had been the childhood of privations, discomfort…” (46)
o Pedro Segundo Garcia
Foreman of Tres Marías
Provides a strong aid for Esteban and becomes his right hand man
His father is Pedro Garcia
‐ “‐obeyed without complaint and worked without grumbling…” (62)
o Pedro Garcia
Father of Pedro Segundo
Oldest person in Tres Marías
Has such a wise outlook on life and given much respect by the people of the
town.
‐ “‐saw his patrón whistling on his way to the stables and he shook his
head in wonder” (62).
o Pancha Garcia
A peasant girl who is raped by Esteban Trueba
Taken into his house as a housekeeper.
She is then thrown out when she becomes pregnant with Esteban’s illegitimate
son
o “Before her, her mother‐ and before her, her grandmother‐ had
suffered the same animal fate” (57).
o Doña Ester
In her youth she fell in love with and married the lower class immigrant Trueba.
The money she brought to the marriage quickly ran out
Her husband died
She is afflicted by severe arthritis which confines her to a wheelchair
Relationship between Dona Ester and her children: “had never really loved his
mother or felt at ease in her presence, but the news shook him nonetheless”
(71).
“‐now had to suffer with the tormenting of her mother not recognizing her and
calling day and night for her son Esteban” (71)
o Transito
A prostitute that Esteban Trueba meets while rebuilding Tres Marias.
Transito borrows money from Esteban to move to the city and establish a
brothel.
o “‐she was going to go far in life and he found that amusing”
(69).
o Ferula
Esteban Trueba's older sister.
Ferula is jealous of Esteban.
Held responsible to care for their mother all these years.
Took care of Esteban and resents him for being able to live so care free while
she works all the time.
Relationship between Esteban and Ferula: “The brother and sister had drifted
apart, and the only thing that remained to unite them was the presence of their
mother and the vague memory of the love they had had for each other as
children” (45).
¾ Conflicts
o Ferula vs. Esteban
resents Esteban for living such a care free life
‐ That’s what you get for spending Mama’s medicine money on your
private little whims. God punished you” (43).
resents sister for always guilting him for not being there
Needed support and her brother was not there
‐ (41), (42), (43)
o Esteban vs. Tres Marias
proves to be a huge financial burden
‐ “‐but it wasn’t money that saved the place, it was hard work and
organization” (52).
making from poverty to a grand hacienda
‐ (50), (51)
‐ “‐one the house was comfortable I felt happy and began to get used to
the idea that I was going to spend many years‐ perhaps even my whole
life‐ in Tres Marias” (52).
facing control over the peasants
‐ (59)
Finds great displeasure in the conditions
‐ (51)
o Ferula vs. Doña Ester
Ferula feels whole life is wasted because of her mother
‐ (44), (45)
Youth was wasted away
Resented being caretaker while brother has no responsibility
‐ “had sacrificed her life to care for the mother” (42).
o Esteban vs. Peasants
Tired of having fellow family members raped
‐ (62), (63)
Problems with other family members on the account of the patron
Dealing with the patron's rage
¾ Thematic ideas
¾ Class System
o In this chapter, the divide between classes and the struggle is seen more clearly.
Esteban Trueba and all of the readers first come to terms with the lower
class such as the Peasants in this chapter.
‐ (48),(49),(51)
Esteban Trueba is part of the upper class but due to lack of money, he has
to work to gain his wealth.
‐ “..they were heir to the noblest and most highborn surname of
Lima” (45).
‐ Esteban strives strives to remain a member of the elite and maintain
the social standard but can not help but “be conquered by
rusticity”(55)
¾ Civilization and Barbarity
o Esteban Trueba goes to the Tres Marias civilized, his anger a bit hidden, but once he
adapts to the country life, his barbarity emerges.
o Esteban Trueba also brought civilization to the Tres Marias, modernizing the farm
and teaching the peasants to read, and providing he with their own economy and
self sustaining village.
“He was slowly becoming a barbarian” (55)
(54), (55), (57), (59), (60).
¾ Family
o Family is a very important in the book.
o Esteban Trueba works so his family can have food to eat and his mom to be taken
care of.
o Ferula Trueba gave up her life to care of her mom and be her personal nurse which
takes a toll on her emotionally and physically (41)
o Ferula also worked to raise and provide for her brother (42)
o Family also brings conflict, from Ferula making Esteban Trueba feel guilty because
she gave up her life for her mom and to give her family what little they had.
(43),(44),(45)
¾ Politics
o In this chapter, we see communism, and people fighting for their equal rights.
o Esteban Trueba sees nothing wrong with the class division or the way Tres Marias is
being run(64, 66)
o Dislikes the idea of everyone being equal because “poor people are completely
ignorant and uneducated” (64).
(63), (67).
¾ Anger and Hatred
o Esteban Trueba is full of anger, anger for losing Rosa, and hatred just fills his veins.
o Pedro Segundo is upset by the political structure and oppression at Tres Marias yet
recognizes his place (51, 61)
o Segundo Garcia hates Esteban Trueba, and so do many peasants in the Tres Marias
and in the town for what he does to their daughters, and his tantrums.
(54),(62),(61), (63)
Chapter 3: Clara the Clairvoyant
¾ Plot
o At age ten Clara stops speaking because it is "pointless and lock[s] herself in silence"
(73).
o Over the following nine years Nana invents numerous ways to scare Clara into calling
out for help, which fails and instead destroys Barrabas's nerves (74‐75).
o Clara interprets the gardener Honorio's dream and helps him win a gambling game.
Soon Clara is interpreting the dreams and predicting the futures of others around town
as her eccentricities have only increased with age (76‐77).
o Esteban Trueba returns home to his sister Ferula and to say goodbye to his
dying mother Dona Ester. While there Dona Ester tells Esteban she will die happy
knowing he has married. Esteban makes this promise to his mother and while courting
Clara, Dona Ester dies (84‐87).
o At Esteban and Clara's engagement party someone stabs Barrabas in the back with a
butcher knife. Barrabas dies in Clara's lap, bringing a quick end to the party (91).
o After returning from her honeymoon in Italy with Esteban, Clara is pregnant. Ferula
takes care of Clara much the way Nana did, however, Ferula develops a deep love for
Clara which borders romantic (97).
o After nearly ten months, Doctor Cuevas delivers Clara and Esteban's daughter Blanca
by cesarean section (100‐101).
¾ Characterization
o Clara
“…decided that speaking was pointless and locked herself in silence”(73).
“[read] all of the time…”(75).
“grew like a wild plant”(77).
“[was] going to get married soon”(82).
o Esteban Trueba
“built a big house on the corner”(83).
“promises his mother that he will do as she wishes”(79).
“asks Severo and Nivea if they have any daughters of marriageable age and
condition”(81).
o Dona Ester, Ferula
“when her mother died, Ferula found herself alone and with no useful purpose
to her life”(94).
“Ferula was waiting for them in their new house”(97).
“Dona was sleeping peacefully, as if at the last moment of her life had wished to
spare her the torture…”(88).
o Severo, Nivea, and Dr. Cuevas
“[the doctor was] fat kindly”(73).
“were shocked with Clara’s silence”(74).
“…could only offer Clara”(81).
“attempted to make [Clara] speak with household remedies, …and even
refusing to let her eat”(74).
¾ Conflict
o Clara the Clairvoyant
No one will accept Clara for who she is.
Her father tries to force her to act normal (77).
Attempts to ‘cure’ Clara’s muteness (73, 74).
She was never invited to people’s homes, and even her cousins avoided her.
Clara has no normal friends of her own age.
Nivea learns to accept Clara and love her unconditionally.
o Esteban Trueba
Is angry at himself for neglecting his mother.
Promises his mother that he will marry and have children (86).
Doesn’t know Clara at all: Barrabas, and diamond jewelry.
Wants Clara to love him.
Wants to possess and have control over both Clara’s body and mind (96).
o Ferula
Sacrificed everything she could have had in order to care for her mother
After Dona Esther dies, Esteban is Ferula’s sole comfort and support, the last of
her family
His marriage “plunged her into uncertainty,” she feared that he would go away,
leaving her completely alone 94
Lives with them, her and Clara become “just like sisters” 95
Ferula gives all of her attention and love to Clara
Confession to Father Antonio: Ferula starts to become jealous of Esteban 99‐100
¾ Themes and Motifs
¾ Magical Realism
o Clara the Clairvoyant
“Clara was ten years old when she decided that speaking was pointless” (73).
Clara had mental powers that allowed her to interpret dreams, move objects
without touching them, predeict the future, and invoke spirits. (75‐77)
Clara’s childhood: “It was a world . . . That she felt no need to speak” (82)
o Intertwining reality with the supernatural
“Rostipov made his living as a magician . . . Caused an uproar in scientific circles”
(73).
“She was as happy to read magic books from her Uncle Marcos’s enchanted
trunks as she was to contemplate Liberal Party documents” (75).
“ The child spent whatever free time her tutors left her in reading, moving
numerous different objects without touching them, chasing Barrabas . . .” (78‐
79).
o The Passage of Time
Story of the tree which multiple generations climbed (80)
Nana remaining strong despite time (81)
The station was unchanged, however the city was now modern (83)
Decline of the neighborhood and the house (84)
Ferula was greatly changed, no longer opulent (84)
Esteban’s Mother’s illness and death. “the passage of time could be read by the
marks the beam had cut into the plaster: a path of suffering, a trail of pain” (85).
o Civilization vs. Barbarity
The Country is divided between modern cities and a very rural country‐side.
Classes are greatly divided—ranging from very poor to very wealthy.
“Civilized” characters are often the most irrational, while the poorer characters
are more rational.
o Esteban and Dona Ester
Esteban’s strong grip over the Tres Marias (79).
Esteban’s necessary need to marry.
Esteban’s inability to accept his mother’s death (86).
Ester admitting her painful demise was off the “country life”(86).
Ester was of very low economical standing while Esteban grew well‐off quickly.
The young are linked to prosperity while the old will eventually wither.
Ch. 4: The Time of the Spirits
¾ Plot
o The Trueba family visits Tres Marias (103‐ 112)
Clara lessons and rosaries (105‐106)
The ant invasion (111‐112)
o Clara’s second pregnancy(112‐115)
the twins are born (123)
Jaime and Nicolas’ childhood (128,136)
o The Christopher Columbus
(115‐119)
2nd encounter with Transito Soto
o Severo’s and Nivea’s death (119‐ 121)
Nivea’s missing head is found (122, 123‐124)
o Ferula’s love for Clara grows (126)
Ferula is kicked out (130‐132)
A curse is placed on Esteban (132)
o Blanca and Pedro Tercero (136‐141)
Tercero passes out Socialist pamphlets (137)
The story of the fox and the hens (141)
¾ Characters
o Esteban Trueba
very traditional, conservative in both political ideas and ideas towards the roles
of the sexes (114, 136, 137)
rich and ambitious in terms of business (113)
begins to become dissatisfied with his relationship with Clara (113, 115, 129)
has a tendency to act aggressively towards things that displease him (115,132)
has a terrible relationship with Ferula
• competes with her for Clara’s attention (130‐133)
o Clara
spiritualistic, aloof, and inattentive especially at the house in the big city (113,
125, 129, 131)
becomes more involved with earthly matters when at the Tres Marias (105)
At the Tres Marias, she begins to preach feminist ideas similar to those her
mother had (106)
o Blanca
intelligent and curious for her age due to the way Clara raises her (103)
o falls in love with Pedro Tercero Garcia at an early age (104, 138)
She is the first character to break through the boundaries of her social class and
Pedro Tercero’s social class
extremely close to her mother, Clara (136)
o Pedro Tercero
falls in love with Blanca at an early age (104,138)
a mature child, has eyes that have an old man’s gaze (104)
o bad relationship with Esteban Trueba (137)
o radical political ideas conflict with Esteban’s conservative ones
(137)
o Pedro Garcia
o old, harmonious with nature to a mystical sense
o Nicolas and Jaime
Clara and Esteban’s twin boys
o sent to an English boarding school (136)
o believe they “have to become men” (128)
o Ferula
extremely loving attitude towards Clara
• ”adore[s] the very air Clara exhale[s]” (108)
o Only with Clara does she give into her desire to be loved
o stays in the countryside she hates so much just to be with Clara
‐competes with Nana in terms of taking care of Clara (124)
o terrible relationship with Esteban (132)
• jealous of his relationship with Clara
• sets a curse on Esteban before she is banished (132)
o Transito Soto
Prostitute
changes a lot since Esteban last saw her
a match for Esteban in ambition and sexual appetite (118)
• she has become the “best in the house” and an independent prostitute
• wants to open her own house with “whores and fags” (118)
¾ Thematic Ideas
o Class differences.
The Truebas have a large amount of baggage, which is unnecessary(103‐104)
Clara decides that she enjoys the presence of the peasants. (105)
Ferula is not used to life at Tres Marias, and complains about her living
situation.(107)
Ferula despises the “uncouth” people at the party at Tres Marias(108)
o Family
Blanca and Pedro Tercero at Tres Marias.(104)
When Clara gets pregnant the family leaves Tres Marias as a whole.(112)
Clara Decides the names of her children will be Nicolas and Jaime, and her
decision is final.(115)
Clara detects her parents death.(119)
When Nivea and Severo die, the news is hidden from Clara because they don’t
want it to affect her pregnancy.(119)
Nana is the only person in the household that believes in God.(124)
o Importance of Women
Clara finds Nivea’s missing head.(112)
When Clara gets pregnant at Tres Marias the family goes back to the city.(112)
When Clara begins to speak again after her break from talking everyone
celebrates.(114)
Clara is able to detect her parents death through a dream.(119)
o Religion
Nana is the only person in the household that believes in God.(124)
o Love
Blanca and Pedro Tercero at Tres Marias.(104)
o Magical Realism
Plague of ants
Mora sisters
Clara’s eccentricities
¾ Internal Conflicts:
o Ferula’s inner battle of whether to go back to the city or whether to stay (109).
Was never resolved just got worst especially when Esteban found her in Clara’s
bed.
o Esteban could not deal with Clara neglecting and ignoring him (114).
It was resolved after pregnancy when she started acknowledging and speaking
to him.
o Esteban battled with his feelings towards Clara because she did not even give him the
power to name his own sons (116).
It was temporarily resolved because he went to the club and sought out
prostitutes better never fully satisfied (118).
o Clara became Esteban’s obsession (127).
Was not resolved because Clara was an independent woman.
o Esteban’s sexual desire for Clara (129).
Not resolved he went back to his old ways of gambling, cock fighting, and
raping. He was never fully satisfied by anything (129‐130).
o Clara began to escape reality and get stuck in her daydreams (135).
Not resolved but it got worst because Ferula was kicked out and no one could
stop them and Ferula could not because she was gone.
¾ External Conflicts:
¾ Esteban’s Red lanturn visits, gambling, cock fighting, tantrums, and Wheatfield rapings
(105).
o Resolved when Esteban returned to the Tres Marias with Clara and started a new
life.
¾ Clara began preaching revolutionary thoughts to the women and Esteban got mad (106).
o Esteban forbade her from going to the prayer meetings and warned her not to be
like her mother
¾ Ferula constantly complained about everything at the Tres Marias (107).
o Not resolved until they went back to the city for Clara’s pregnancy.
¾ Esteban and the ant problem at the Tres Marias (110).
o Resolved when Pedro Garcia led the ants out.
¾ Esteban trying to keep the del Valle’s death a secret not to affect Clara’s pregnancy (119).
o Clara resolves this problem when she dreams of her parents and uncovers the
missing head mystery.
¾ Ferula and Nana despised each other because each one wanted the family’s love more.
o Not until Esteban kicked Ferula out.
¾ Ferula vs. Esteban for Clara’s love (126, 130)
o Not resolved until Esteban kicked Ferula out of the house for loving Clara and
clinging to her too much (132).
Ch. 5: The Lovers
¾ Plot
o Blanca and Pedro’s love grow (143, 46, 47, 55, 56, 57, 72, 73, 74)
o Blanca Enters Adolescence (144‐45)
o Ferula Dies (148‐53)
o Pedro Enters Adolescence (153‐54)
o Secret Meetings (156‐57)
o Earthquake (158‐63)
o Nana Dies (162, 67)
o Rebuilt Tres Marías (164, 73)
o Pedro banned from Tres Marías (169)
¾ Thematic Ideas
o Conflict Between Opposites
Socialism vs. Conservatism (163, 69‐71)
• Connects with the conflict of social classes (147)
• Pedro Tercero vs. Esteban Trueba
o Growth and the Changing of Times
Blanca grows into a young woman (143‐45)
Clara becomes more independent (164‐66)
Pedro Tercero growth into a socialist (163, 169‐71)
o Love
Blanca and Pedro Tercero (144, 46, 47, 71, 72)
Ferula and Clara (151‐52)
o Magical Realism
Pedro Garcia fixing Esteban Trueba (161)
Clara’s predictions of the earthquake (158‐59)
¾ Characterization
¾ Blanca Trueba
o Realizes her “true feelings” for Pedro Tercero (144, 46,47,57)
¾ Pedro Tercero Garcia
o Realizes his barriers (172)
o Grows into a revolutionary thinker (154, 63, 69)
¾ Esteban Trueba
o Shows his anger towards Ferula (152, 154)
o Crushed under his pride, “Tres Marias” (160, 165)
¾ Clara Trueba
o Learns to fend for herself (164‐65, 68)
o Give back to Ferula (151‐52)
o Appreciates Pedro Segundo Garcia (165)
¾ Ferula Trueba
o Receives comfort in death (148)
¾ Nana
o Dies alone but not unnoticed (168)
¾ Pedro Segundo
o Develops an admiration for Clara (166, 69)
Ch. 6: Revenge
¾ Purpose of Chapter
o Catalyze family drama that will drive a deep wedge between Esteban and his relatives
for a very long time.
o Sets the stage for Esteban’s future misery.
¾ Plot
o Esteban Trueba’s deteriorating relationship with Clara & Blanca (177).
From Esteban’s PTV.
Realizes he is shrinking.
New presidential election.
Trueba befriends Count Jean de Satigny (181).
• Now from Alba’s PTV.
Jean observes Blanca escaping into the night, the next day he asks for her hand
in marriage
o The twins arrive at Tres Marias and bring “a gust of freshness and vitality” (185).
They meet Jean but don’t like him at first
Their personalities are described.
o Pedro Garcia dies a few days after the presidential election (188).
Esteban Trueba has the most lavish funeral for Pedro Garcia (190).
Pedro Tercero is disguised as a priest (191).
o Jean’s origins are mysterious as he continues to pursue his chinchilla farming and Blanca
(193‐194).
Jean and Blanca become friends (195)
In the end his wooing fails and so does the Chinchilla idea (196).
o Jean decides to follow Blanca one night and finds the two lovers (197‐198).
Jean rats them out to Trueba the same night (199).
o Esteban releases his wrath upon Blanca (199).
Clara confronts Esteban about his actions.
It is the end of their already deteriorating relationship.
Blanca and Clara leave to the capital
Pedro Segundo leaves as well.
o Esteban’s hunts for Pedro Tercero (203).
Esteban Garcia tells Esteban that Pedro is hiding in the sawmill (203).
They head out to the mill, Esteban almost kills Pedro but only cuts off 3 fingers
(CLIMAX).
Esteban forbids Garcia to tell (207).
Chapter ends with them crying out of anger (208).
¾ Characterization
o Esteban Trueba
Lives a fantasy believes he is a “good husband” (179).
Has a bad marriage with his wife constantly “furious at her” but still “adore[s]
her” (179).
He doesn’t admit to problems out of “pride” (181).
Hates Pedro Trecero for loving Blanca, blames him for all the problems he is
facing with family. (200)
o Clara Trueba
She is not very intimate with Esteban and would spend time “talking with her
spirits” (177).
She doesn’t enjoy “pleasures of the flesh” (179)
Sees no problem with Blanca and Pedro since Esteban slept with unmarried
women. (200)
Never speaks to Esteban and does not wear her wedding ring any longer after
he strikes her. (201)
o Blanca Trueba
Does not have a “good relationship” with Esteban and is described as an
“armadillo” (177).
Likes sneaking out to go see Pedro Trecero (184).
She holds feelings of anger to Count Jean de Satingy because he is asking for her
hand in marriage. (185)
Losing her “apple‐colored‐freshness” (192).
Wants to spend all of her free time with Pedro. (193).
o Count de Satingy
He doesn’t have to work for a living and wants to run a "chinchilla business”
(182).
“Educated, clam and lighthearted” (193)
Tries to constantly woo Blanca.
Rats Blanca & Pedro out (199).
o Pedro Tercero Garcia
Blanca’s secret lover and friends with Jaime behind Esteban Trueba’s back (186)
Believes in socialist ideas and spreads it throughout the property at Tres Marias
(192)
Secretly has a “marriage of body and soul” (198)
Flees after being attacked by Esteban Trueba. (207)
o Esteban Garcia
He is the son of Esteban Garcia who is the bastard son of Esteban Trueba and
Pancha Garcia. (189)
Is jealous of the Trueba of family and desires all sort of accidents to happen
them. (189)
Smiles “impassively” (207) at sight of Trueba’s suffering .
Tells Trueba where Pedro Tercero is hiding.
o Nicolas Trueba
He was small, “pretty as a girl,” (186).
He is “blindingly intelligent” and is better than “his brother in everything”; uses
it against him(187).
Has an “interest in supernatural things” (187).
Manages to “seduce” women by using acts of “gallantry” not used to in the
UK(188).
Enjoys “investigating miracles” and writing “passionate stanzas to Amanda”
(188).
o Jaime Trueba
He is “tall” and has an “athletic build” (185).
Helps others with his “generous” nature helping the tenants earning the
nickname “the little patron” (186).
Believed “affection and expression” (186) were signs of inferiority so.
Becomes a doctor because of his compassion . (186)
Is friends with Pedro Tercero Garcia always speak of politics concerning the well
fare of peasants. (186)
¾ Internal Conflicts
o Clara becomes distant, Esteban needs her (177, 179)
o Esteban shrinking (181)
¾ External Conflicts
o Esteban’s injuries (176, 179)
o Esteban’s anger (178, 199, 201)
o The Count’s courting of Blanca (185, 199)
o Blanca and Pedro Tercero (199, 200)
o Esteban’s encounter with Tercero (205, 206, 207)
¾ Themes
¾ Rage and Violence‐(Esteban’s) (201)
¾ Class Struggle‐ Pedro Tercero and Blanca’s relationship is forbidden due to their different
social statuses (200).
o This causes the family to be driven apart.
¾ Deceitfulness‐ Jean is deceitful by spying on Blanca yet being friendly to her,
o Blanca is deceitful for sneaking out to have sex with Pedro(196).
o Esteban Garcia exposing Pedro Tercero = deceit.
Chapter 7: The Brothers
¾ Plot
o Exposition
Clara and Blanca flee Esteban Trueba (209)
Blanca is found to be pregnant (212)
Esteban Trueba makes Jean de Satigny agree to marry Blanca
Blanca is locked up until the wedding (213)
o Rising Action
Blanca finds out Pedro Tercero is alive (217)
Blanca marries the countÆ they move North (217)
Nicolás and Jaime grow apart (218)
Nicolás and Jaime fall in love with Amanda (220)
Esteban devotes his life to politicsÆ elected Senator (226)
Nicolás tries to find his purposeÆ attempts to fly a German zeppelin and
sandwich enterprise (230)
o Climax
Nicolás finds out Amanda is pregnant (232)
o Falling Action
They decide to ask Jaime for help (236)
Jaime performs the abortion (240)
o Resolution
Jaime takes care of Amanda (244)
Esteban Trueba is checked for signs of shrinkage (244)
¾ Characterization
o New Characters
Amanda
• Jingling bracelets and eyeliner
• 25 and an orphan (232)
• Philosophy and Oriental customs
• Protective of younger brother (216)
Miguel
• Quiet, clean, and camouflaging (223)
• Strong bond with Amanda
• Dependent on his sister
o Old Characters
Esteban Trueba
• At times unyielding even with wife
• Problems with entire family
• Increasingly conflicted feelings toward Clara
Clara
• More motherly and responsible
• Optimistic
• Fully cuts husband out of her life
• Does not display hate, grudges, or violence (209)
Blanca
• Strong and determined
• Trustful in her mother (217)
Jean de Satigny
• Apathetic and easy going
• Acquisitive pushover (214)
Pedro Tercero
• Politically involved and passionate
• Stubborn
Nicolás
• Immature materialistic adventurer
• Lives in the moment
• Doesn’t think out actions or words (233)
• Searches for an identity
• Always turns to his brother for help
Jaime
• Altruistic (220‐221)
• “Had a calling for both sacrifice and austerity (220)
• Faithful/ reliable brother
• Easily embarrassed (222)
• Extremely devoted student (221)
¾ External Conflicts
o Esteban Trueba vs. Blanca‐ Esteban resents Pedro Tercero, forces Blanca to marry the
Count (212‐213)
o Esteban Trueba vs. Clara‐ Clara is upset at treatment of Blanca, initially refuses to attend
wedding (216)
o Esteban Trueba vs. Nicolás‐ Esteban interferes with Nicolás’ money making plans (219)
o Esteban Trueba vs. Jaime‐ Different political views, Jaime wants to change last name
(228)
o Pedro Tercero vs. Blanca‐ Pedro is upset Blanca marries (227)
o Nicolás vs. Jaime‐ Jaime is jealous of Nicolás’ relationship (237)
o The Abortion‐ Argument between the brothers (236)
¾ Internal Conflicts
o Jean de Satigny‐ Clueless toward wedding (214)
o Nicolás‐ Tries to find purpose in life without success
o Jaime‐ Mixed feelings, then attraction toward Amanda (222)
o Esteban Trueba‐ Finds that he is isolated and aloneÆ begins to feel small (224,244)
¾ Motifs and Themes
o Power
Esteban Trueba’s control in family/ politics
o Anger
Esteban Trueba and Blanca
Esteban Trueba and the boys
Jaime and Nicolás
o Love
Amanda and Miguel
Pedro Tercero and Blanca
Nicolás/ Jaime and Amanda
Clara and Blanca
Ch. 8: The Count
¾ Plot
o “Blanca and her husband spent their wedding night in the honeymoon suite of the best
hotel in the capital…” (247)
“…no particular inclination for married life…” (247)
o The move to the North
Jean hires Indian Servants; Blanca’s distrust (250)
o The “laboratory” (251)
o The finances (253)
o The mummies (256)
o The discovery in the darkroom (259)
Blanca leaves (261)
¾ Characterization
o Clara
Corresponds with Blanca through letters
“From the very first letter…Clara could tell that her separation from Blanca
would not last long” (246).
o Blanca
Pregnant with Alba, Pedro Tercero’s child
Never able to explain why she married (246).
Relieved the Count has no intention of trying to consummate the marriage
Does not trust the Indians and their “evident ill will” (250).
Is convinced her that the heat and her pregnancy are affecting her mind (250).
Refuses to be involved in societal life
Develops a means of communicating with her baby
Questions her own sanity (253).
Discovers the true contents of the “laboratory” and is filled with horror, and
understanding (260).
o Jean de Satigny
Loses his “eager suitor” act; he is disinclined for the married life (247).
Sets up his “laboratory” in the “farthest rooms in the house” (250).
Spends his afternoons “inhaling cocaine and smoking opium” (251).
Finances (252).
Has a reputation as a “patient, long suffering husband” (253).
Takes an interest in Incan relics
o The Indians
Cause Blanca discomfort
Jean seemingly holds them in “high regard” even if they do not have particular
domestic duties (252).
¾ Conflicts
o Blanca’s reason for why she agreed to marry (246, 247)
o Blanca and the counts relationship, or the lack of. (247, 248)
Pretend in public and themselves at home
o Blanca and the servants (250)
The cook
o The Counts finances (253‐255)
“The business of the Indian excavations”
o “Mummies” (256‐258)
o The “laboratory” (259‐260)
o Blanca goes into labor (261)
¾ Thematic Ideas
o Paranoia
Satigny and the Incans (250)
laboratory assistant (252, 255, 260)
mummies (256‐259)
o Class Struggle
the marriage
Satigny’s belief of things now “worthy of his new status” (249)
o Sensual vs. Sexual
fading memories of Pedro Tercero (253, 260)
hidden images in Satigny’s laboratory (259, 260)
o Family
with little to do, Blanca writes to Clara (250)
like Clara, Blanca “[develops] a whole system of communication” with unborn
child (251)
o Carnivalesque Appearance
decorations of the “ancient mansion” (249)
uniforms of the hired help (250)
Indian antiquities (255)
Satigny’s sexual/photographic escapades (259, 260)
Ch. 9: Little Alba
¾ Plot
o Alba is born lucky and with an “ancient wisdom” (262)
Jaime helped deliver her (263)
Officially given the Count’s surname but chooses to use Trueba
o Alba’s childhood nightmares and tasks (265, 268, 269, 281)
o Alba bonds with her uncles (270, 271, 273)
o Nicolas’ return from India and publication of his book (272)
o Esteban Trueba’s worsening family realtionship (275)
o Alba meets Pedro Tercero (278)
o Alba grows accustom to her grandmothers eccentricities (281)
o Alba meets Esteban Garcia (283, 285)
o Esteban Trueba writes a letter of recommendation to the police academy for Esteban
Garcia (287)
o Clara’s death (288, 290)
¾ Characterization
o Alba
Daughter of Blanca and Pedro Tercero (263)
The love of Esteban Trueba (266)
o Clara
The matriarch figure (268)
Clairvoyant
Holds family together with love (267, 268)
o Blanca
Falls in love with Tercero (265)
Bore a child (263)
Forced to marry
o Jaime
Future doctor (270)
Helps poor
Responsible twin
o Amanda
Lower class (266)
Girlfriend of Nicolas (265)
Pregnant
o Pedro Tercero Garcia
Lover of Blanca
Revolutionary persona
Has 2 fingers
o Jean de Satigny
Blanca’s husband
Wants to join Trueba family
o Nicolas
Care‐free (271)
Similar to Uncle Marcos
o Esteban Trueba
Patriarch of family
Creates tension
Loves Alba
o Estaban Garcia
Out for revenge (285, 287)
Toys with Alba (285)
¾ External Conflicts
o Esteban
Wanted Alba to use the Count’s last name as her surname (264)
His deteriorating relationship with his family (275)
His continuous hatred for Pedro Tercero (278)
o Blanca vs. Jaime
Methods of raising Alba (271)
o Clara
Her asthma attaks (282)
Her death (288‐291)
o Esteban Garcia Jr.
His evil mind (288)
¾ Internal Conflicts
¾ Blanca
o Her ruined marriage to the Count (264)
o Her admirers (276)
o The difficulty with Pedro Tercero (279)
o Life is tough (279)
¾ Alba
o Not having a father (265)
o Her mother’s outings (277)
Ch. 10: The Epoch of Decline
¾ Plot
o Night of Clara’s death, Esteban Trueba sleeps in bed beside her (292‐293)
Feels they are finally reconciled
o Esteban Trueba erects mausoleum to hold Clara, Rosa, & himself (295, 304‐305)
He & Jaime have to steal Rosa’s body from the del Valle plot
o After Clara’s death, big house on the corner deteriorates (296)
Blanca stays & tries to maintain it with money from Esteban Trueba, but cannot
o Nicolas begins to charge his spiritual students (298)
Rents house & opens the Institute for Union with Nothingness
o Esteban Trueba is upset after discovering Alba has joined in Nicolas’s activities (298‐299)
Esteban Trueba kicks Nicolas out with money & instructions to never return
o Esteban Trueba enrolls Alba in British school for girls (300‐301)
Alba is forced to stay for 10 years
o Alba moves into Blanca’s room due to nightmares following Clara’s death (303‐304)
Blanca & Alba’s relationship deepens
o Pedro Tercero continues to meet with Blanca regularly & often with Alba as well (311‐
312)
Blanca does not want to give up romantic image of relationship with Tercero
Alba never realizes Tercero is her father
o Esteban Trueba becomes increasingly depressed after Clara’s death (313)
o Esteban Trueba visits the Christopher Columbus, the best brothel in the country (314‐
317)
Meets with prostitute Transito Soto & the two have intercourse
• In the process Esteban Trueba is able to mourn Clara
¾ Characterization
o Esteban Trueba
Locked himself in the room with Clara. (293)
“Wanted to die as soon as possible after losing Clara” (295).
Gets very angry when Nicolas leads Alba to shaving her own head. (298)
Throws Nicolas out of the house.
Is worried with the increase of Communists.
o Alba
Shaves her head and repeatedly chants “Om.”(298)
Is sent to a British School for Young Ladies, because Esteban Trueba believes it is
important for her to have a great education. (308)
o Nicolas
Finds emotional equilibrium after Amanda leaves him. (298).
Funds and starts the Institute for Union with Nothingness.
Eventually gets kicked out of the house by Esteban Trueba.
o Pedro Tercero
Is Jaime’s best friend.
Visit’s Alba and Blanca frequently behind her back.
Spends quality time with Alba and “watched her grow”(310).
Believes she “deserves to be his daughter”(310).
o Colonel Hurtado
Tries to convince Esteban that the Communists are not a threat and aren’t
dangerous.
Believes that the Communist party is “composed for four bums without any
statistical importance” (307).
¾ Thematic Ideas
o Magical Realism
Esteban Trueba’s shrinking (293, 295, 306)
Clara’s death: “she had simply fulfilled her mission in this life and she had
escaped to another dimension where her spirit, finally free of its material
burden would be more at home” (292).
Clara’s funeral: a big event (294)
Clara was a main source of magical realism: there is a major downfall in magical
realism after her death.
“Clara’s death completely transformed life in the big house on the corner”
(295).
Decay of the house (296, 297)
Few instances of magical realism remaining after Clara’s death
Passed down from Clara
Esteban Trueba’s visions of Clara around the house (295)
Alba: her “eccentricities” (300, 301).
o Politics
Socialist (Marxist) Conservative
• supporters: • supporters:
‐ the poor lower class ‐ the higher classes
‐ Jaime ‐ Esteban Trueba
‐ Pedro Tercero García • Social Darwinism “We live in a jungle”
• “helping one’s neighbor”, “Charity” (297). (297).
• “values of family, tradition, private
property, law and order” (308).
¾ Conflicts
o “I took the opportunity to tell her everything I couldn’t say before, everything I’d been
holding in since that terrible night when I beat her.” (292)
o Esteban and Clara’s relationship is mended
“The irremediable fact of her death did nothing to alter our reunion. We were
finally reconciled.” (293)
o Esteban treats Clara with care and affection. (293)
“She’s closer to me now than she ever was before.” (295)
o Nivea’s head is also buried. (294)
o Esteban is disappointed in his children, no inheritance.
“In his loneliness [he] tried in vain to build a friendship with them that would fill
the void left by a lifetime of bad relationships.” (297)
o Nicolas searches for his purpose in life: “his lifelong wish to find god on less traveled
paths.” (298)
o The Home becomes a House
The house is neglected and goes into ruin.
Clara had kept the family together.
Now the family begins to fall apart.
Esteban is “deaf and blind to the needs of his house.” (302)
“Jaime and Nicolas lost what little interest they had in the family and showed no
compassion for their father” (297).
“Trueba realized that the only thing keeping him at home was the presence of
his granddaughter.” (296).
Everyone spends more time away from the house.
“They lived in the house because they had nowhere more suitable to eat and
sleep, but they came and went like indifferent shadows.” (297)
Esteban kicks his own son out.
Esteban has a heart attack. (299)
o Politics
Esteban is obsessed with destroying “the Marxist cancer” (306).
“You look under any stone and a Communist jumps out!” (306)
His own party members don’t take him seriously.
Chapter 11: The Awakening
¾ Plot
o Alba grows up (318)
o Alba starts college (318)
The confiscated building (319‐325)
o Alba’s memory of Esteban Garcia’s forceful kiss(326‐328)
o Alba falls in love with Miguel (318)
Alba and Miguel create their own sanctuary (328‐ 332)
o The presidential campaign (333‐335)
the Candidate tells Jaime Socialist will win
Jaime does not agree with Miguel’s political views (332‐333, 335)
o Jaime agrees to help Miguel’s sick sister (336)
Jaime sees Amanda for the first time since their youth (337‐338)
¾ Characterization
o Alba Trueba
Matures “practically overnight” (336)
Falls in love with Miguel (318)
Romantic
“not interested in politics” (319)
• “sick and tired of her grandfather’s speeches” (319)
• Gets involved with the revolution out of love for Miguel (319)
o Miguel
Falls in love with Alba Trueba (319)
• Radical socialist, a revolutionary (319, 320)
• Leader in the socialist student group
• Miguel’s ideas are extremist ones
• Believes in guerrilla warfare
• “Violence of the system needs to be answered with the violence of
revolution” (319)
• Truly cares about his sister, Amanda (336)
o Esteban Garcia
Twisted and perverted
• “tempted to take [Alba] to a stockade and leave her there to rot in a
cell, bathed in her own blood[…]” (325)
• Incident with Alba on her 14th birthday (327)
o Professor Sebastian Gomez
One of the older revolutionaries
“lit by an inner fire that gave no respite” (323)
o Jaime Trueba
Moderate Socialist, dislikes any form of extremism (333, 335)
Has a friendship with The Candidate
Very close to Alba, jealous of Miguel
• “feel[s] like a father” when it comes to Alba (336)
¾ Internal Conflicts
o Alba changing from a child to a woman (318)
o Alba in the confiscated building (323)
o Jaime's “unconfessable jealousy" for Alba (336)
¾ External Conflicts
o Revolution violence (319, 331, 335)
o Memory lane with Esteban Garcia (327)
o Love momentarily stopped Alba and Miguel's lifestyle
o Jaime and Alba's different views (332)
o Jaime vs. Esteban Trueba (335)
o Jaime helping Amanda with her bad health (337‐338)
¾ Thematic Ideas
o Politics
Miguel’s leftist beliefs(319, 320, 321, 322, 331)
Esteban Trueba’s political beliefs(321)
Jaime meets the future president(334)
o Class Differences
Alba at the invasion of the University building(324)
Alba’s tone when talking to Esteban Garcia(325)
o Growth
Alba gets older, and goes to college(318)
Alba’s fourteenth birthday(327)
Jaime notices Alba is growing into a woman(336)
o Love
Alba sees Miguel in the university cafeteria(318)
Alba and Miguel’s relationship grows(328)
Alba and Miguel’s passion(330)
Alba wants to join Miguel in his political activities(331)
Jaime encounters Amanda(338)
Ch. 12: The Conspiracy
¾ Plot
o Socialists win election (339‐42)
o Esteban Trueba rallies an Anti‐Socialist campaign (342)
o Pedro Tercero in Office (343)
o Blanca and Pedro Tercero (345)
o Pedro’s threat (345)
o Alba’s Help (350)
o Jaime and Amanda (354)
o Esteban captured by peasants (355‐57)
o Alba realizes Tercero is her father (358)
o Esteban is freed (359‐61)
o Luisa Mora’s prediction (364)
¾ Thematic Ideas
o Conflict between Socialism and Conservatism
Those “who have always won” are defeated by the Socialists (339)
The Conservatives plot against the Socialists (342)
• Sabotage (347)
• The barbarity of the Conservatives
• Un‐democratic
The rising of the people (340)
• Peasants at Tres Marias (355)
• Esteban kidnapped (356)
o Esteban is humbled (361)
o Relationships
Blanca and Pedro Tercero (344‐48)
Jaime and Amanda (354)
¾ Characterization
o Esteban Trueba
Is restored (349)
Respects Alba (349)
Return to Tres Marias (356)
Humility and Humbleness (361)
o Blanca Trueba
Waits for Tercero (346, 57)
Begins to hoard (350)
Fetches Alba’s father (358)
o Pedro Tercero
New job (344)
The ultimatum (345, 58)
Retrieves Esteban Trueba (360)
Ch. 13: The Terror
¾ Plot
o Day of the military coup
Springtime
Jaime is called over to the Presidential Palace (361)
Conservatives revolting
As situation worsens, so does the weather (368)
President’s final address to the people (368)
o Bombing of the Palace (368)
Jaime inside – taken out by hostile military (369)
Taken to Ministry of Defense/Barracks
Given option to “appear on television and say the president was drunk and
committed suicide.” (370)
• Refuses = tortured, death (371)
o Senator Trueba celebrates overthrow of Socialists (unaware of Jaime’s death)
Alba is furious with grandfather
Miguel calls her and tells her to destroy evidence of relationships (372)
Conservative military anarchy in control
o Esteban’s POV
Tells of his role in the coup
Discovers military had no intentions of reopening congress (374)
Unsure if the coup was the right thing to do (375)
Learns of Jaime’s death 2 weeks later (376)
• Denies it; after “several months”, accepts it
Dictator sworn in (377)
o Alba helps the persecuted (377)
Misses Miguel – blames grandfather (378)
Begins to smuggle people to embassies (379)
Amanda and Alba become friends
o Tyrannical Gov’t censors images/media (381)
Upper class benefits – working class oppressed
Universities closed – Alba stops going to school
o Esteban Trueba enjoys new order at first
Redeems Tres Marias, kicks peasants out but later regrets it (386)
o The Poet dies
Funeral procession (388)
Military seizes power for good
Trueba admits to his mistake (390)
Blanca admits to housing a wanted Pedro Tercero (390‐394)
o Blanca and Tercero escape to Canada (393)
Esteban and Blanca’s reconciliation
Blanca traffics more people
o Miguel appears (395)
They go and find the weapons Alba took from Esteban
Alba sells things from the house (398)
Esteban her to stop when she sells a portrait of Clara (399)
o Esteban focuses on businesses=plenty of $ (400)
Blanca is happy in Canada
o Political police spy on the Truebas (4000
They come and raid the house and take Alba (402)
• Esteban promises to find and save her
• Meanwhile Alba is taken to a torturous place – meets Esteban Garcia
again – his time for revenge (404)
¾ Characterization
o President
Brave; willing to “fight” (367)
“Only way I’m leaving is dead” (368)
“Loyalty with my life” (368)
o Jaime
Doctor for the President (366)
Stays to protect the President
Thought “military respected the law” (368)
Sticks to his values, even in death (370)
o Senator Trueba
Celebrates revolution
“Now they are going to pay” (371)
Not in new gov’t (373)
Puts aside differences for family (393)
o Miguel
Cares for Alba (372)
Sacrifices love for violence (396)
Doesn’t want Alba to go into harm’s way
o Blanca
Dislikes the revolution
Hoards “jewels Clara left” (382)
Come to father for help (392)
Escapes to Canada w/ Tercero (400)
o The Poet
Poems were world renowned
Friends were diverse people (387)
Becomes symbol of justice (388)
Death is “symbolic burial of freedom” (388)
o Alba
Realizes severity of revolution (378)
Only one still sane
Refuses to celebrate deaths
Longs for Miguel
o Pedro Tercero
Socialist
Sacrifices hate for love and respect (393)
• Hugs Esteban Trueba goodbye (394)
Family moves to Canada
o Esteban Garcia
Corrupt with power
Wants revenge out of jealousy
Becomes worse than Trueba
“Waits” to capture Alba (404)
¾ Themes
o Denial of truth
Esteban + wealthy – denying torture of people, death of Jaime, he was wrong in
helping the coup (376, 380)
Death and Destruction (369, 371, 386)
Magic Realism (382, 403, 404)
¾ Internal Conflicts
o The Coup (373, 375, 376)
o Jaime’s decision to stay w/ President (367, 368, 370)
o Alba’s Concern (371, 372)
o Esteban’s loss of faith (374, 375, 377)
Ch. 14: The Hour of Truth
¾ Plot
o Exposition
Alba’s captivity (405)
o Rising Action
Alba being beaten (406)
Electric torture (409)
o Climax
Thoughts of death
• After electric torture (410)
• In dog house
Clara visits (414)
• Inspires Blanca to write
o Falling Action
Estéban Trueba visits Tránsito Soto (415)
" Floodgates" are opened (418)
o Resolution
Tránsito repays Estéban Trueba (421)
• Esteban García returns vengence on AlbaÆ Tránsito returns favor for
Estéban Trueba
Alba is freed
¾ Characterization
o New Characters
Guards
• Ruthless and unremorseful (406)
• Blindly obedient
• “Cover their faces with handkerchiefs…” (412)
Andrés
• Similar to Ana DíazÆ Strong, optimistic, and codependent (412)
o Old Characters
Alba
• Reminiscent (406)
• Strength through caring about others (411)
• Discovers the Colonel’s motives
o Doesn’t “hear nor feel him” (413)
• Is “beyond his power” (415)
• “Ventures slowly out of the private circle of terror” (411)
• Humanitarian acts are repaid
o “Realizes how much she needed Ana Díaz” (413)
Estéban Garcia
• ‘Good cop’ (407)
o Alternates “unbridled violence with the pretence that he was
her good friend” (411)
• Distorted emotions (413)
o ForeshadowingÆ first encounter with Alba and her birthday
(409)
• Long lasting hatred
o “He was not trying to learn Miguel’s true whereabouts…” (411)
Ana Díaz
• Courageous and kind
o “An indomitable woman” (412)
o Sings with prisoners
• Andrés’ lover (413)
Estéban Trueba
• Only friend is Tránsito
• Is completely broken down (418‐421)
Tránsito Soto
• Incredibly reliable
• Powerful yet trustworthy (421)
¾ External Conflicts
o Alba’s Captivity (405)
o Alba’s Torture (406, 409)
Electricity (409)
Beating (406)
o Violence against prisoners
Ana Díaz’s torture (412)
Trucks (411)
¾ Internal Conflicts
o Alba’s fear (405)
o Temptation of Death (410, 414)
After the electricity (410)
In doghouse (414)
o Esteban García and Alba (413)
o Estéban Trueba feels “old and helpless” (415)
¾ Thematic Ideas
o Love
Estéban Trueba and Alba (418‐421)
Alba and Miguel (405‐406)
Ana Díaz and Andrés
o Violence
Torture of Alba (406, 409)
Torture of prisoners (411, 412)
o Fear
Alba (405‐406)
Estéban Trueba (421)
o Discomfort
Bloody coffee (407)
Man in bathroom (407)
Lying in liquids (409)
Esteban García’s feelings (411, 413)