The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

House of Spirits

My Analysis of a Yearning Man

When watching a movie one feels as if they were a fly on the wall throughout one characters life, but in the movie "House of Spirits", there is more that one wall to stay on. First there is a character, Clara, who is innocent and pure. She is a character like no other I have seen. A character who falls in love with one who is almost her complete opposite. Esteban is a man who has worked hard in order the win the hand of a beautiful woman but who is unfairly taken from him. It is the fact that this woman is taken so unfairly, that I believe this is the reason why Esteban has turned into such a cold hearted and stern man. But almost right before his heart turns to stone is when he asks for Clara's hand in marriage. I honestly do not think that he wants to marry her for love but mother to have a mother for his children who comes from a good family. He, himself, says all that matters is that she can bear healthy children. But once married to Clara is when, I believe, she with her powers and charm makes him fall in love with him. Esteban is indeed truly in love with Clara, not only for her ability to become a mother but for the strong passion she holds inside. I believe deep inside Esteban is the heart of a warm and loving man but due to the pain his heart has already gone through before his marriage to Clara, he finds any way to keep it hidden from everyone. Him not wanting or even being able to show compassion, makes Esteban lust for the innocence and passion that lies within Clara. Esteban's sister Ferula, herself says when in confession with a priest, how Esteban is a cruel and cold man who only wants the purest part of Clara. This purity, love and innocence that Esteban yearns for is from the need of purity, love and innocence which was taken from him with the loss of his first true love.

Allende, Isabel. The House of the Spirits.