Magical Realism and Sociopolitical Upheaval in Isabel Allende’s “The House of the Spirits”
The House of the Spirits: A Chilean Saga
Sociopolitical Context
The House of the Spirits reflects Chile’s tumultuous 20th-century history, particularly the two decades preceding the 1973 Pinochet coup. The narrative leading up to Salvador Allende’s 1970 victory is divided into two sections:
- The world of workers and peasants: Represented by the Three Marias, this world depicts illiterate individuals reliant on strong, sometimes brutal, leadership (Esteban Trueba). Fear of “love” prevents rebellion, with exceptions like Pedro Tercero García.
- The ruling oligarchy: Embodied by powerful landowners who exert absolute control, acting above the law with police and judicial complicity (murders and violations attributed to Esteban Trueba).
Allende’s 1970 victory created political instability. The Chilean right feared communist takeover and societal destruction. Land reform expropriated land from large landowners for redistribution among workers (kidnapping of Esteban Trueba and Pedro Tercero). The narrative portrays the country’s inflation problems and resulting food shortages. The novel faithfully depicts the assault on the Palacio de la Moneda and Allende’s final hours. Post-coup, misery spreads among the working class, while the privileged regain access to goods and establishments.
Magical Realism
Magical realism, a hallmark of late 20th-century Latin American literature, blends reality with fantastical elements. It flourished during the 1960s and 1970s, amidst clashes between technological and superstitious cultures and the rise of political dictatorships. Key characteristics of magical realism in The House of the Spirits include:
- Blending of real and fantastic: A defining feature, exemplified by Clara’s unique perspective.
- Non-linear narrative: A common trait in magical realist works.
- Myth, fantasy, humor, and parody: Used to create unexpected outcomes.
- Everyday life infused with the unreal: Creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
- Focus on marginalized communities: Often depicting the harsh realities of the lower classes.
- Subjectivity: The omniscient narrator and characters like Esteban Trueba and Alba offer subjective viewpoints.
- Treatment of death: Portrayed as an extension of life.
- Natural and supernatural intertwined: Seen in characters like Uncle Marc, Clara, and Nicolás, and the importance of dreams.
- Social violence: Teenage characters engage in acts of violence, reflecting Chile’s sociopolitical turmoil.
- Urban setting: While some scenes occur in the Three Marias, key events unfold in the city, particularly the corner house.
- Intertextuality: Parallels exist between The House of the Spirits and One Hundred Years of Solitude, particularly in the descriptions of the Three Marias and Macondo.