Clarisa: a Deeper Meaning

“Intense love does not measure, it just gives. “ (Mother Teresa) This sentence perfectly describes the character Clarisa in the short story, “Clarisa” written by Isabel Allende because of her giving nature and devotion to helping other people. In this short story, Clarisa is the model of gentility and compassion by giving absolutely every thing she had, and even spends “…the last cent of her dowry and inheritance,” (434) and, “In her own poverty, she never turned her back on the poverty of others” (434). For these reasons, they people that know Clarisa hold her in high esteem, and continually portray her as saint like. Allende helps the reader understand the admiration others have for Clarisa through the use of imagery, similes, and diction.

The imagery in “Clarisa” is used to help explain the admiration the narrator has for Clarisa. One example of this is when Clarisa arrives home from the parade for the Pope, who has come to town, distraught and confused. “I combed her meringue hair high on her head, tied it with a ribbon, and then sat down to accompany her through this crisis, not knowing exactly what it was” (438). This piece of text helps the reader envision Clarisa’s age, as well as providing a physical description of Clarisa. Furthermore, this piece of text also helps reveal the love that the narrator feels for Clarisa, and how she is concerned for Clarisa’s well-being. Another piece of imagery used is, “She was exhausted when she reached the house, with the din of bells and cheering still ringing in her temples” ( 438). This portion of text conveys a feeling of tiredness and finality. This description could help one infer that Clarisa is worn out, and her body is failing. Clarisa just finished seeing the Pope, somet...

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...ws how the people who know her or are affected by her, hold her in great regard, and treat her as a saint. The word choice of this passage suggest that the people who come to say goodbye are really expecting something illustrious to happen, and are disappointed that have not gotten to experience the event. Both samples of diction provide the reader with a deeper meaning, without making the passages difficult to read, as well as further conveying the admiration other people have for Clarisa.

Allende effectively used the literary devices of imagery, similes, and diction, to help the reader understand the admiration others have for Clarisa while conveying the deeper meaning of the text without compromising the flow and comprehension. Each literary device provides an easy, enjoyable, and profound way to view this story, and learn about the sacrifices

of others.