The House Of The Spirits

Feminism revolves around the notion that men and women are equal, an idea that is seldom accepted or embraced at the end of the twentieth century in Latin America. Set during the revolution of 1970, Isabel Allende’s autobiographical novel, The House of the Spirits, weaves a story about the lives of women through four generations. The idea of male dominance is prominent throughout both the political and social arenas of Latino communities. However, Allende uses members of the Del Valle family to portray the theme of feminism evolving during this time. Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits, highlights the intertwined lives of two Latin American women, Clara and Alba, to develop feministic attitudes and overcome discrimination in their community,

with the men in their lives and experience the ultimate growth in their relationship with each other.
The pervasive theme of feminism is illustrated by Clara and Alba’s actions towards their community.

The estate that Clara’s husband, Esteban Trueba, refurbishes is a place that is later changed by Clara’s actions. Soon after Clara arrives to Tres Marias for the first time, she becomes an active participant in societal politics within this community by “[dividing] her time between the sewing workshop, the general store, and the school” (Allende 118). While there, she demonstrates to her husband the work she and other women are capable of completing. Clara is unfazed that her husband, at times, disagrees and often rants to her about her work. Despite Esteban’s greediness and disapproval of her actions, Clara strives to improve the quality of life in this region. Having an impact on her life, Tres Marias helps prove to others that females can make a meaningful influence on a community. Similarly, her granddaughter Alba, makes impactful decisions within her environment. At the start of the dictatorship, Alba automatically makes significant choices to help save others. Since there are several rooms in her home that are abandoned, she hides refugees and military men while the war is taking place. Alba is driven by political gain and righteousness to protest against her grandfather’s laws. She displays bravery and also feministic characteristics. Clara and Alba are able to display feminism while making admirable differences in both communities. Their determination is also evident

in their motivation to overcome patriarchal influences.
As a result of the oppressive treatment by males, Allende has Clara and Alba rebelling against the dominant figures to develop the theme of feminism. At the beginning of the novel, Clara informs the readers that she is marrying Esteban Trueba, not for true but because of a psychic vision. Throughout this toxic marriage, Esteban constantly breaks out in tantrums towards Clara. The moment “he lost control and struck her in the face, knocking her against the wall,” terminates their relationship (Allende 223). Rather than fighting back, Clara vows never to speak to him again, which drives him crazy. Despite his overwhelming physical strength, her silence causes him anguish. This now proves her feminine strength, not letting an angry dominant figure assault or manipulate her. Alba’s rebellion takes a different angle when Esteban Garcia kidnaps her. Garcia and his men take her in, assaulting her because she refuses to release the location of her lover. She proves the strength of her feminism by not revealing the secret. The physical and mental torture affects her, but she ultimately chooses love. Alba refuses to let a male dictate to her and betray the ones she truly admires. She is not defined by men, but by her feministic values, standing up for herself and the people she cares about.
Clara and Alba help each other find a means of survival.

Clara begins to age and recognizes her time on this earth is coming to an end. Though, prior to her death, she makes all of her preparations both around the house and within her family. She explains to her granddaughter, Alba, that it is now her time to transition into the afterworld and they cannot do anything to make her better. Alba does not leave her grandmother's side for days and this shows her dedication. In turn, Clara is reassured that Alba is prepared to carry on her legacy. It is not a male figure by her side, but a female revealing complete dedication to each other. Alba becomes a beacon of hope for Clara, that she may teach understanding of the past, present and future. Unfortunately, on Alba’s birthday, Clara passes. Then, as Alba grows and develops a distinction between right and wrong, she credits her grandmother as the means of survival as she reflects “Clara wrote them so they would help me now to reclaim the past and overcome terrors of my own” (Epilogue 481). Surviving rape and torture, Alba is able to survive with the help and advice that Clara has bestowed upon her. Although Clara is not physically present, Alba reaches her spiritually being taught how to read and write. Writing becomes her means of survival and validation for life after the traumatization of being trapped and abused. Clara and Alba help each other, both physically and mentally, when it comes to

“survival”.
Throughout the novel, The House of the Spirits, Isabel Allende’s powerful narration illustrates the emotional growth of feminism between Clara and Alba that manifests itself with the community, male dominant figures, and themselves. Allende provides the readers a multi generational perspective. Evidence from The House of the Spirits, demonstrates the evolution from a male dominated history to that of a writing focusing on the potential of women. The new wave of feminism throughout Latin America is reflective of the theme and the dynamics of this novel. Empowering a new generation of women can alter the future of a country.