The House of the Spirits Essay Example

that Rosa's mother was privy to some knowledge. She chose not to burden her daughter with mundane expectations because she believed that Rosa was not meant to live long in this world. According to her, Rosa was an angelic being whose destiny was to die young [7]. Throughout the story, there are several unexpected turns of fate that add to its intrigue.

At the start of the book, Clara is depicted as possessing the gift of foretelling the future and discerning people's destiny. Her statement, "I am beginning to suspect that nothing that happens is fortuitous, that it all corresponds to a fate laid down before my birth…"[367], implies that this ability was innate, and she knew her own fate since her birth. This was prior to Rosa's passing.

Clara disclosed that a family member would soon pass away, and this was not a surprise since everyone recognized her premonitory powers. Later on, the novel reveals that Esteban Trueba, Rosa's fiance, proposes to Clara. Despite their lack of connection on a spiritual level after getting married, Esteban manages to cope with the situation. It is later discovered that the large house they move into has a steady stream of spirits coming and going, thus earning it the moniker "The House of The Spirits."

In contrast to the time period portrayed, The House of The Spirits emphasizes feminine characters over masculine ones. Clara, Blanca, and Alba are the central figures, while their love interests Esteban, Pedro Tercero, and Miguel take on secondary roles. The women's actions, such as their births and experiences with unjustifiable acts like sexual and physical violence, are heavily described. Despite these challenges, the female

characters remain strong-willed and do not let themselves be brought down by men. The novel also explores themes of childhood innocence and growth. According to the book, many children can fly like birds, guess other people's dreams, and communicate with ghosts but eventually lose these abilities with a loss of innocence. [8]

My understanding is that the women in the novel represent a notion of "innocence" within humanity. Despite their pursuit of their desires, they do so through peaceful means. In contrast to American historical figures who resorted to violence in fighting for their rights, these women enact change more subtly and without inciting rebellion. This speaks to Isabel Allende's understated beliefs.

From the story, she suggests that the impact of what women do is more enduring than that of men. Women's teachings on health and management remain intact for longer, while men in government often implement plans that create more problems than before, without lasting forever. Although the book had many themes to explore, each one required unique and careful consideration, making it a challenging read.

Allende has broadened my literary horizons, motivating me to read more works of a similar nature. I recommend this book predominantly to those who enjoy reading complex and distinctive literature, similar in style to the writing of Garcia Marquez.