The Needle’s Last Bounce

As is noted in the last post, perhaps Trueba suggests that he and Alba write down their lives to remind Alba of her origins and family background. The idea that who-you-are-born-to-defines-who-you-are seems to be rather imbedded in Trueba’s beliefs, even if by the end of the novel he may feel pity towards those unfairly treated due to their status.

Esteban García’s supposed need to take revenge on Trueba’s daughter likewise portrays an importance of family blood. Raping Alba to avenge his grandmother from Alba's grandfather, Trueba, is an obvious conviction that hurting her equals hurting him. Aside from the two Truebas being family members, the two are nothing alike. How can García be satisfied by taking his revenge out on another person than the one he considers his enemy? Does autonomy not play a role in this endeavor?

Connecting these examples one may wonder whether Isabel Allende believes that a person is defined by his/her family blood ties. 

Or

Is she addressing just the opposite? 

The overwhelming difference between the Trueba children, such as Jaime’s care for others and Nicholas’ practical indifference, may allow the reader to judge one’s environment as the defining factor of who a person is, as is noted by the boys’ upbringing at an English (I think) boarding school. 

Then again, maybe that is just a cover-up for what Allende really believes to be true, that family does trump all other factors. Nicholas seems to inherit Uncle Marcos's desire to travel and invent. Then again, though he pursues spiritual enlightenment, it seems that he did not inherit such qualities from his mother. Likewise, the imaginary creatures that Rosa imprinted in her quilts and the ones that appeared on Alba’s wall may suggest that the two are linked. Through this same observation one may argue that it is the spiritual environment that revolves around the two that influence the girls’ creations.

Aha! Then it is environment that shapes a person. Right? If both Rosa and Alba, and even Blanca’s pottery creatures, are linked in the spiritual world, it is that realm that tells them who they are.

Or maybe not.

Is it both? Do both family relations and environment make a person who they are?

The two are definitely influencing factors but in the end they can never define who a person is. 

May it be as it may be.

An Evenly Odd Family

What a strange family. Clara’s statement declaring the weird factor in every family being equally distributed among all the members of the Trueba household definitely holds true. Among their weird traits they all share a common quality: stubbornness.

Each character is unyielding to something they hold dear. Clara lives in la-la land, Jamie has to help those in need, Nicholas is devoted to his Institute for Union with Nothingness as well as money, Blanca is clinging to Pedro while he has his music to stir people’s thoughts, Alba brings everyone’s burdens upon herself, García will not let go of revenge, and Ferula surrounds herself with poverty and rituals.

The one who is thought to be the most stubborn of all, Trueba, seems to have a change of heart. He trusts in the traditional system, the way things have always been. The Republic is his foundation. Whether his motives are selfish ones or not can be argued due to his seemingly convinced notion that some people, like the peasants, need someone to think for them for they are incapable. Either way, he notices that things have changed; he has changed. Is there really injustice? Are people really being beaten? Is his position as Senator actually not strong enough to protect his granddaughter? He regrets the way his country is now functioning; there was a mistake, things did not go according to plan. His pitiful state and awareness of hidden tragedies instills a sorrowful old man waiting to die.

Then again, maybe he is as stubborn as ever. Trueba did not suggest that he and Alba write down their lives to share the story of a nation lacking freedom, but to insure Alba’s origins, her family background. Is there still a sense of what-family-you-are-born-into-determines-who-you-are ideology in Trueba’s thoughts?

Till next time.

A Political Dual

You know, there’s only so much left of the novel that all this foreshadowing seems like it will never be completely revealed. The entire mystery-feel engulfing these pages is something I was ready to dismiss as a fanciful way one was reading a journal based on reality. Seeing as this is still told from the perspective of someone, namely Alba and at times Trueba, who knew the characters personally, I cannot hold to my previous argument.

Fantasy aside, there is quite the political statement roaring through the characters’ lives. The battle between the chickens and the fox.  

Round one. Fight! 

Pedro’s rebellious manners distinguish him from among the peasants as a threat to Trueba.

Trueba responds with a death threat that sends Pedro to hide in secrecy.

Pedro attacks by instilling a proud theme song uniting forces with peasants across the country.

In an extraordinary rage, Trueba lunges at Pedro with an axe! 

Close one, but Pedro lives on.

Round Two.  Fight!

Pedro steels the affection of Trueba’s Family. Oh! There goes Blanca’s love. Ah! Jaime’s friendship just got snatched. Ouch. Say bye to Alba’s music interests.

Trueba fights back for his granddaughter. Can she be the one to follow in his footsteps? Will she see the peasants as incapable of thinking for themselves?

Bummer for Trueba, she’s questioning him. Why does he own the land? Family? Huh?

Oh, and here comes Pedro again. Telling Alba about the poor. Yikes.

But what’s this? Trueba is a Senator? All this Marxism talk looks like it’s hitting powerful ears.

Apparently it’s not doing anything though. Yup, he’s just getting ridiculed. 

Will the chickens win?

I guess we have to wait and see.

Till next time.