1st two paragraphs
Allende uses multiple narratives to show all sides of the family and to complete the story. She uses the narratives of Esteban Trueba, Alba, and an all knowing third person narrative in the novel House of Spirits. These narratives allow for many different perspectives on events and allows for a wider account of the events in the novel.
The narrative of Esteban Trueba is provided in two different manners. There is one side of his narrative where he is speaking in the present. At these points he describes the events currently occurring within the story and he gives his opinions and perspectives on these events. These perspectives are affected by his mood and opinions of the activities that are occurring. A good example of this narrative is when Esteban is going to the Christopher Columbus near the end of the novel,
““Of course I’m alone” I shouted. The woman handed me the rose and asked me which room I preferred. “It makes no difference,” I replied, surprised. “We can offer you the Stable, the Temple, and the Thousand and One Nights. Which do you want?” “The Thousand and One Nights,” I said, for no particular reason.” (415)
This quotation shows how in this side of his narrative he is talking in the present. It also shows his thoughts during the proceedings and not reflections on the events. This narrative allows the readers to see many of the events differently than any of the other narratives, such as the events of Rosa’s death, the early days in Tres Marias, the meetings with Transito Soto.
(The blog messed up the quote format and paragraphs)
The narrative of Esteban Trueba is provided in two different manners. There is one side of his narrative where he is speaking in the present. At these points he describes the events currently occurring within the story and he gives his opinions and perspectives on these events. These perspectives are affected by his mood and opinions of the activities that are occurring. A good example of this narrative is when Esteban is going to the Christopher Columbus near the end of the novel,
““Of course I’m alone” I shouted. The woman handed me the rose and asked me which room I preferred. “It makes no difference,” I replied, surprised. “We can offer you the Stable, the Temple, and the Thousand and One Nights. Which do you want?” “The Thousand and One Nights,” I said, for no particular reason.” (415)
This quotation shows how in this side of his narrative he is talking in the present. It also shows his thoughts during the proceedings and not reflections on the events. This narrative allows the readers to see many of the events differently than any of the other narratives, such as the events of Rosa’s death, the early days in Tres Marias, the meetings with Transito Soto.
(The blog messed up the quote format and paragraphs)
posted by Chris at 6:48 PM
4 Comments:
The new paragraph starts at "The narrative of Esteban Trueba"
Good opening paragraph. Check on that "these narratives" and your "allows" I think you could improve the flow there. You should expand the Esteban paragraph for your good copy to include a reflective example.
The reflective example is coming in the next paragraph. I decided to break them up. Thanks for the comment.
I like the way you begin to set up the explanation of the roles of the various marratives in the novel. At some point you need to say something about the reliability of the narrators. Does the reader believe what Trueba says, what Alba says? what the third person narrator says? Where do the sympathies of the reader lie?
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