Imagery In Isabel Allende's 'House Of The Spirits'

662 Words2 Pages

Neil Patel
December 4th, 2014
English 3 – Period 3
The House of the Spirits Commentary

Isabel Allende adds many different characters in order to create mood (this is too general, what do you mean mood, what kind of mood? I have a feeling your teacher will take points off for this) in the novel House of Spirits. Though women overpower the men in this novel, one strong male figure is the center of attention; Esteban Trueba is a dogmatic tyrant that remains sadistic throughout the passage. There is a glimpse into Esteban Trueba’s personality and appearance, only leading to his arrogance and domineering lifestyle. (awkward sentence, are you trying to say the book provides a glimpse into Esteban? and how does that lead to his arrogance and domineering …show more content…

(huh?) By continuously using description, Allende forms a very strong yet troubled character. The use of imagery exemplifies Trueba’s “rustic” lifestyle yet “robust and sensual” nature. The juxtaposition between rusticity, and his robust, sensual nature exemplifies his imperfections versus his compassion. His “indifferent” demeanor describes his powerful, violent and solemn personality, however his hardworking side symbolizes the amount of compassion hiding inside of his soul. By creating such vivid images it is evident that Esteban Trueba has many aspects, one more overbearing than the other. Allende’s “angry” and “barbaric” depiction of Esteban are unambiguous attempts to formulate his character within one passage. It is easily seen that there is no complexity to Esteban’s background more or less his personality. By being brought up in the lower class, then building a sustainable life, Esteban becomes accustomed to ordering everyone else around him, thus making him selfish and …show more content…

Throughout the passage the Allende repeatedly sets the mood through her use of diction. Allende’s description of Esteban’s nightmares, best exemplified the “invisible hands stroking his legs,” is utilized as a tool create a powerful yet cold mood that appeals to the magical realism aspect of Allende’s writing. Furthermore, diction such as “angry” “violent” and “ebb” are utilized in order to symbolize Esteban’s violence and power over life. Allende shifts the mood in the passage to display a positive feature in Esteban. Astonishingly his “aimlessness” stands out from his cold personality allowing one to see into his heart and feel compassion. Everything about Esteban Trueba’s physical appearance affects his desire to be powerful. By having a magisterial life Esteban continues to be violent causing him to “blossom into terrible attacks” however by having the right people around him his hardworking and sensual nature is

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