It takes only a leader, a visionary, with the determination to cause a revolution. Both Denisovich and Allende encourage this perspective of humankind and reveal this through their writings in A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich and House of the
"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds" (Samuel Adams). It takes not a majority, nor a minority, to change something. It takes only a leader, a visionary, with the determination to cause a revolution. Both Denisovich and Allende encourage this perspective of humankind and reveal this through their writings in "A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" and "House of the Spirits". They create characters that not only recognize the injustices, but also have a deeper understanding of them. This allows these characters to rise above the bondage of oppression and overcome fear, indecisiveness, and passivity. Both Denisovich and Allende illustrate human's inconceivable ability to prevail, even over a society that aims to oppress them.
Allende's characterization of Pedro allows him to overcome his oppression through his music and love for Blanca. Allende characterizes Pedro in such a way that he seems invincible, able to overcome Estaban's tyrannical ways. Esteban could not understand how his authority could be objected, he even, "tried to prevent him from continuing his schooling...but the boy simply rose earlier and went to sleep later to finish his work" (Allende 155). Here, one can see that Allende shows Pedro's determination, his perpetual fight against his oppressors. Pedro's defiance appeared to vex Esteban. When asked to sing a song that preached of a revolt, he did not falter. Allende writes, "Go on, sing! [...] Pedro lovingly picked up his guitar [...] and began to strum" (154). With no hesitation, he flaunted his rebelliousness. It seems that he was "born a rebel" (154). Significance is seen in the notion that Esteban accuses Pedro Tercero Garcia of playing communist songs and therefore spreading the idea of socialism to the rest of the community. What Esteban fails to realize is that first, Pedro Tercero constructed these ideas himself, consequently he poses a larger problem than anticipated and second, the village has already been exposed to these ideals. The villagers had been in the dark about the outside world, but Pedro sought to change that, he introduced Tres Maria to "pamphlets of the unionists [and] the teachers political newspapers."(164) Pedro takes advantage of Esteban's injury and attempts to get others to rally with him. To add insult to injury, not only does Pedro rebel against Esteban's authority, he defies Esteban's wishes and seeks a relationship with his daughter. Although he attempts to stop their relationship, their love proves to be much for Esteban. Allende writes, "She sat down [...] and waited [...] then she opened the window and jumped out. Blanca goes against the wishes of her father, and would willingly accept the consequences in order to be with Pedro. Again, another example of how Pedro seems to be invincible to the wrath of Esteban, even being able to sway the mind of his daughter. Esteban cannot control what he does not understand. The abstract concepts such as love and magic allow the characters in the novel to prevail over oppression.
Allende's characterization of Pedro allows him to overcome his oppression through his music and love for Blanca. Allende characterizes Pedro in such a way that he seems invincible, able to overcome Estaban's tyrannical ways. Esteban could not understand how his authority could be objected, he even, "tried to prevent him from continuing his schooling...but the boy simply rose earlier and went to sleep later to finish his work" (Allende 155). Here, one can see that Allende shows Pedro's determination, his perpetual fight against his oppressors. Pedro's defiance appeared to vex Esteban. When asked to sing a song that preached of a revolt, he did not falter. Allende writes, "Go on, sing! [...] Pedro lovingly picked up his guitar [...] and began to strum" (154). With no hesitation, he flaunted his rebelliousness. It seems that he was "born a rebel" (154). Significance is seen in the notion that Esteban accuses Pedro Tercero Garcia of playing communist songs and therefore spreading the idea of socialism to the rest of the community. What Esteban fails to realize is that first, Pedro Tercero constructed these ideas himself, consequently he poses a larger problem than anticipated and second, the village has already been exposed to these ideals. The villagers had been in the dark about the outside world, but Pedro sought to change that, he introduced Tres Maria to "pamphlets of the unionists [and] the teachers political newspapers."(164) Pedro takes advantage of Esteban's injury and attempts to get others to rally with him. To add insult to injury, not only does Pedro rebel against Esteban's authority, he defies Esteban's wishes and seeks a relationship with his daughter. Although he attempts to stop their relationship, their love proves to be much for Esteban. Allende writes, "She sat down [...] and waited [...] then she opened the window and jumped out. Blanca goes against the wishes of her father, and would willingly accept the consequences in order to be with Pedro. Again, another example of how Pedro seems to be invincible to the wrath of Esteban, even being able to sway the mind of his daughter. Esteban cannot control what he does not understand. The abstract concepts such as love and magic allow the characters in the novel to prevail over oppression.
