The book begins with the De Valle family attending church. Nviea is the mother of 15 children and only 11 survived and the father is Severo who is a politician in the Liberal Party. The book take place in Chile and it focuses on the lives of the De Valle family though multiple generations. Clara is one of the main characters who can see the future and later marries her sister Rose’s fiancé. The family is struck with tragedy as the inhumanly beautiful daughter Rose is poised by accident by an attempt on the life of Severo. Esteban Trueba is filled with grief and rage after receiving the news of the death of rose. He has been working in the mine for two years in order to become rich and marry her. The tragedy marks a turning point in the family …show more content…
Women are seen as inferior and are subjected to violence. Estaban believes women only role is to be married and have children. He enforces this on his daughter while he emphasized education to his sons. The women themselves did not go against these ideas. “Since when has man not beaten his wife? If he doesn’t beat her, it’s either because he doesn’t love her or because he isn’t a real man. Since when has woman ever done the same things as men?” Social statics also is present in the book where Estban takes advantage of the peasants in the village and under pays them. Society separates the poor form the rich and the mixing of both is taboo. People from both sides of the classes expressed disapproval of the relationship between Blanca and Pedro. The book also discussed politics in Chile. Communism and socialism is mentioned multiple time by Pedro. Ideas of socialism takes hold of the Tres Marian however, Estban doesn’t believe in the idea that all are equal. “It would be lovely if we were all created equal, but the fact is we’re not…if I were to leave for so much as a wee, it would all collapse and these poor creatures would be starving it death