The House Of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

Authors Avatar

THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS-IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Q1. Explain the mystery surrounding Uncle Marcos’ death.

A1. Uncle Marcos, Clara’s maternal uncle was an adventurer and an explorer, who stayed with the Del Valle family in between his trips. Just as many of the other characters in the novel possess eccentric and unique characteristics, Uncle Marcos’ travels were also very unusual. In fact, it is these travels that actually caused his death, not once but twice over. The first time, Marcos had assembled a flying contraption in which he had sailed off over the mountains. However, after a week of his take-off, there was still no word from him and he completely disappeared, due to which speculations about his death started rising. These were confirmed when a group of volunteer explorers succeeded in finding his corpse. Uncle Marcos’ body was sealed in a black coffin and he was laid to rest in an elaborate funeral and so he departed from the world, being hailed as a hero. However, just one week after he had been buried, Uncle Marcos reappeared, as thanks to all the prayers made to San Antonio, although he had lost his airplane, he was safe and well. This did not deter him and he again set out on a journey on a ship for 60 days, which indeed was his last one, as he returned back in a coffin, again. This time it was said that he had died of a mysterious African plague that had turned him yellow and wrinkled. He succumbed to the fever and died at the latitude of Guayaquil. However, his sister Nivea could not believe that he was truly dead, as his death was indeed a mysterious one.

Q2. Comment on Esteban’s feelings for Rosa.

A2. Rosa, the most beautiful creature anyone had ever seen, with her incredible green hair, her fairy tale manner and her special way of swaying around, instantly captured Esteban Trueba’s heart. As is quoted in the novel by Esteban himself; ‘she entered my life like a distracted angel who stole my soul as she went by’. Esteban had been completely mesmerized by her beauty, the very first time he saw her. He immediately started following her around everywhere and tried to woo her by love letters, flowers and innumerable boxes of licorice drops. Such was the magic of her enchanted beauty that a man like Esteban, who never really ran after women, tried every possible way to win her affection, even sending her Spanish poetry. After seeing Rosa, Esteban’s life completely transformed, as he constantly lived in a world of dreams. With help from Nana and his sister Ferula, Esteban was finally able to meet Rosa and he became her official suitor. The fact that he was brave enough to ask for her hand also throws light on his strong feelings for Rosa, because no other man had felt strong enough to spend his life protecting her from other men’s desires. In fact his love for her was so strong, that he was ready to do anything, even risk his life, in order to provide her with everything that she ever desired. It was almost as if Rosa gave his life a new direction and a new meaning. Thus, he worked tirelessly, spurred on by his love for Rosa. However, this relationship had a tragic end, as Rosa died due to accidentally being poisoned. But Esteban had developed such strong feelings for her that even years after her death, her memories in his mind lived on.

Join now!

Q3. Comment on the effect of Rosa’s death on Clara and Esteban.

A3. Rosa’s accidental death, due to being poisoned, changed the lives of all her loved ones, but two people in particular who were severely affected by her death were Clara, her sister and Esteban, her fiancé. Esteban had been greatly affected by her death because he had incredibly strong and deep feelings for her and hoped to spend the rest of his life with her. Therefore, it came as a great shock to him, when she passed away suddenly just a short time before their wedding. On ...

This is a preview of the whole essay