The Shrouded Woman: A Tale of Life and Death
The Shrouded Woman
Part I: The Wake
1 to 3
2 to 4
3 to 4
4 to 5
5-3
6-4
7 to 4
8-5
9-3
10-2
11 —5
12-4
13-2
14-5
15-3
16-4
17 to 1
18-2
19-5
20-3
This book is about a woman named Ana Maria who dies from a heart attack. While in her coffin, surrounded by her relatives, she remembers moments from her life with each person who comes to see her.
There was Zoila, her lifelong friend and a mother figure since childhood, who had accompanied Ana Maria’s real mother as she died.
Her children were also present: Anita, a 20-year-old woman with two children, and Alberto, a man married to Maria Griselda. Alberto was very jealous of Ana Maria, which strained their relationship and made her angry with him.
Her other son, Fred, was her darling and a curious, slightly mischievous child.
After a while, she hears the sound of horses approaching the room where she lies. It is Ricardo, her first love. She remembers her pregnancy with him when they were young. They were friends before their relationship began, and after three years, they fell in love. Upon learning of her pregnancy, he abandoned her, causing her great suffering. She eventually lost the baby.
Her father was also there. She had been terrified to tell him about her pregnancy. The girl forever asked her mother when her father would find out.
In front of her was her sister, Alicia, a very religious girl. She and Ana Maria grew up in a Catholic school, where Alicia prayed the rosary while Ana Maria played pranks and annoyed the nuns.
Fernando, her lover, was also there. He seemed to be happy that she could finally rest, as he always felt responsible for solving her problems. Ana Maria remembers how Fernando’s wife, Agnes, died and is frightened by his calmness in dealing with it.
She also thinks about her husband, Antonio, a cold and distant man. She didn’t love him at first and left him after a few months, only to realize that she did love him and return home.
As she lies in the coffin, she listens to Father Charles and recalls a conversation they had. Ana Maria had told him that she wanted to be earthly, connected to the earth. She also remembers when she was sick and Father Charles asked if she wanted to confess. She told him to come in the morning because the doctor was coming. But after a while, her heart, which was very weak, began to fail. She received last rites and, in that moment of truth, began to die and experience death from the perspective of the dead.
She says she could have come back to life but chose to rest, to die.
Part II: Character Analysis
1. Characters:
Protagonist:
The main character is Ana Maria. Her husband was Antonio, and she had three children: Albert, Fred, and Anita.
She was a kind-hearted woman but faced many problems due to her husband’s infidelity. She felt hatred towards him and the other woman. She had experienced difficulties since childhood because of her mother’s absence and her cold father. When she got married, she realized she could be alone and dependent on Zoila, who was like a mother to her. For example, Ana Maria couldn’t even comb her own hair.
Physically, she was a pretty woman with long eyelashes and delicate hands. Her hair was thick and beautiful, but her illness made it damp and heavy.
She was financially well-off, somewhat capricious, and lived in the countryside on her estate.
Antagonist:
The antagonist could be considered the feeling of love. Ana Maria suffered greatly because of love. When she was young, she became pregnant by Ricardo without having a formal relationship. She hid it from her family, especially her father, fearing his reaction. Although she lost the child, the experience left a lasting impact.
She also suffered because of Antonio. At first, she didn’t love him and left him, but then she realized she did love him. However, Antonio had become cold and unfaithful.
Secondary Characters:
Alicia: Ana Maria’s sister. They were raised together in a Catholic school. Alicia was very religious and always prayed the rosary, while Ana Maria played pranks. Physically, she was beautiful, with blond, curly hair. Ana Maria and her cousins were jealous of her beauty. However, over time, Alicia became sadder, and her appearance changed. She grew paler and less attractive.
Zoila: Ana Maria’s “nanny.” She was always with her from birth and took care of her after Ana Maria’s mother died. Zoila did everything for Ana Maria, to the point that Ana Maria was dependent on her.
She was an elderly woman with gray hair.
Fernando: Ana Maria’s confidant. She shared everything with him. She often complained that he never responded or offered advice. He was her lover, but he was also a friend to the family. Antonio was very jealous of their supposed friendship.
Fernando was married to Agnes, who committed suicide with a drug called Veronal. He told Ana Maria about the incident, mentioning that his wife didn’t seem sad to kill herself.