Politics are such an important underlying theme throughout the book. In the begin, Rosa is killed from poison meant for her father, coincidentally enough trying to earn a political position. During the book, I watch Esteban transform from hot tempered hacienda patron, to wealthy influential politician. Many times Esteban's own political views clashed with his families causing more issues (Ex. Nicolás being exiled and Jaime's death). Blanca also had her problems politically when it came to her love with Pedro Tercero Garcia. Pedro Tercero Garcia is a well known revolutionary thinker, spreading his ideas so freely, that Esteban tries his best to put an end to them. Finally, we see the final political struggle between Alba, who is torn between boyfriend Miguel's ideas of a necessary fight of guerrilla warfare, Jaime's beliefs of democracy, and stubborn Trueba's ideas that the communists are to blame. From being tortured by Esteban Garcia, to finally being released again to her grandfather, Alba experiences first hand the troubles that political upheaval can cause.
Politics play a very big role throughout the book. The biggest part that deals with politics starts in chapter 10 and continues to the end of the book. Esteban Trueba gets into these politics which potentially begins the downfall of his entire family. Politics essentially lead to the killing of Jaime and the harsh treatment Alba had to endure to protect Miguel. Innocent people were killed just because they belonged to a certain political party(in this case the Communists). Politics shape the Trueba family, their country, and their entire lives.
Politics seem to be the underlying foundation of the book. From the very first scene, political ambition takes the stage.
"Severo del Valle was atheist... he had political ambitions that could not allow himself the luxury of missing the most heavily attended mass.." pg 3
Through out the book, politics continues to pop up. It is always there holding relationships together (in the case of Miguel and Alba) or pulling them apart (Esteban and his children). For certain characters it became a passion (Jaime) and for others a dangerous obsession (Miguel and Esteban). It shaped the family's careers, homes, and relationships. Politics is the backbone of this entire book.
I think the politics seem to dictate how the family acts towards the others in the family and other people. In chapter eight when Esteban makes the comment about Blanca's virginity I think he is just looking out for himself and his political career.
When the politics start to play a role story the family changes. They become more worried about scandal and what others will think of their own actions. Even in real life you have to feel bad for someone who is famous whether it be in politics or for some other reason. They are scrutinized at every turn and judged by people who are nothing but hypocrites.
Politics were engaged in many of the significant scenes that were played in the del Valle family and Trueba family. Rosa’s sudden death was due to politics. Esteban Trueba gain more prominence, power, and wealth once he was elected senator. Also when he suffered the humiliation of being held hostage by his own tenant workers was the cause of government change. Jaime’s torturous death was the outcome for supporting the President. The sufferings of Alba were due to political rebellion. Politics took part in major events in the House of the Spirits.
Being the niece of the real-life assassinated president of Chile, it is clear that Allende uses The House of the Spirits as a political platform.
Even though this is a romantic novel full of action, magic, and family dynamics, politics plays the biggest role. As Amy said, from the beginning, politics plays a part, seeing as Rosa would never have died without her father being a politician. And although the novel does trace the family's roots back that far, to before the political turmoil that becomes the climax, it is clear that Allende's purpose was to shine a light on the injustices surrounding the military overthrow.
In the end, the reader can see that politics played a major instigative role throughout the novel. Although magical and stirring, the story of the del Valles and Truebas simply wouldn't have been the same had it lacked the strong political and historical background.
Politics are such an important underlying theme throughout the book. In the begin, Rosa is killed from poison meant for her father, coincidentally enough trying to earn a political position.
ReplyDeleteDuring the book, I watch Esteban transform from hot tempered hacienda patron, to wealthy influential politician. Many times Esteban's own political views clashed with his families causing more issues (Ex. Nicolás being exiled and Jaime's death).
Blanca also had her problems politically when it came to her love with Pedro Tercero Garcia. Pedro Tercero Garcia is a well known revolutionary thinker, spreading his ideas so freely, that Esteban tries his best to put an end to them.
Finally, we see the final political struggle between Alba, who is torn between boyfriend Miguel's ideas of a necessary fight of guerrilla warfare, Jaime's beliefs of democracy, and stubborn Trueba's ideas that the communists are to blame. From being tortured by Esteban Garcia, to finally being released again to her grandfather, Alba experiences first hand the troubles that political upheaval can cause.
Politics play a very big role throughout the book. The biggest part that deals with politics starts in chapter 10 and continues to the end of the book. Esteban Trueba gets into these politics which potentially begins the downfall of his entire family. Politics essentially lead to the killing of Jaime and the harsh treatment Alba had to endure to protect Miguel. Innocent people were killed just because they belonged to a certain political party(in this case the Communists). Politics shape the Trueba family, their country, and their entire lives.
ReplyDeletePolitics seem to be the underlying foundation of the book. From the very first scene, political ambition takes the stage.
ReplyDelete"Severo del Valle was atheist... he had political ambitions that could not allow himself the luxury of missing the most heavily attended mass.." pg 3
Through out the book, politics continues to pop up. It is always there holding relationships together (in the case of Miguel and Alba) or pulling them apart (Esteban and
his children). For certain characters it became a passion (Jaime) and for others a dangerous obsession (Miguel and Esteban). It shaped the family's careers, homes, and relationships. Politics is the backbone of this entire book.
I think the politics seem to dictate how the family acts towards the others in the family and other people. In chapter eight when Esteban makes the comment about Blanca's virginity I think he is just looking out for himself and his political career.
ReplyDeleteWhen the politics start to play a role story the family changes. They become more worried about scandal and what others will think of their own actions. Even in real life you have to feel bad for someone who is famous whether it be in politics or for some other reason. They are scrutinized at every turn and judged by people who are nothing but hypocrites.
Politics were engaged in many of the significant scenes that were played in the del Valle family and Trueba family. Rosa’s sudden death was due to politics. Esteban Trueba gain more prominence, power, and wealth once he was elected senator. Also when he suffered the humiliation of being held hostage by his own tenant workers was the cause of government change. Jaime’s torturous death was the outcome for supporting the President. The sufferings of Alba were due to political rebellion. Politics took part in major events in the House of the Spirits.
ReplyDeleteBeing the niece of the real-life assassinated president of Chile, it is clear that Allende uses The House of the Spirits as a political platform.
ReplyDeleteEven though this is a romantic novel full of action, magic, and family dynamics, politics plays the biggest role. As Amy said, from the beginning, politics plays a part, seeing as Rosa would never have died without her father being a politician. And although the novel does trace the family's roots back that far, to before the political turmoil that becomes the climax, it is clear that Allende's purpose was to shine a light on the injustices surrounding the military overthrow.
In the end, the reader can see that politics played a major instigative role throughout the novel. Although magical and stirring, the story of the del Valles and Truebas simply wouldn't have been the same had it lacked the strong political and historical background.