Childhood In Isabel Allende's Simple Maria
Isabel Allende grew up amidst a massive struggle in her home country of Chile, where her uncle was assassinated for his political policies and she had to flee the country. However, out of the rough ground grew a rose—Allende’s literature. Many of her works are heavily inspired by her trying childhood, especially the short story “Simple Maria.” In “Simple Maria,” a story in which the main character that is a prostitute becomes mentally disabled after being hit by a locomotive, many ties can be drawn from the story to Allende’s childhood. Isabel Allende used this short story as an allegory to her own life and the struggles that she had to endure during her childhood. The first part of “Simple Maria” that serves as allegory to Allende’s life
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Again this related pretty directly to the sudden murder of her diplomat uncle in Chile. The death of Allende’s uncle was extremely sudden and nobody saw it coming. In the same way, the death of Maria’s son was quite unforeseen as well. Although he was never specifically named in the story, Maria’s son was really special to her, and his blonde hair was extremely significant. In literature, blonde hair often signifies purity, joy, happiness, hope, and optimism. When her son was born, Maria exemplified all of these qualities. Her son was one of the only elements of her life that was important to he, and their future was looking very bright. However, one day “the ship lurched and the heavy metal-edged lid slammed shut, breaking the child’s neck” (Allende 157). Maria’s son, along with all of her hope and optimism, disappeared just as suddenly as Allende’s uncle. Allende’s uncle, who was the president, helped provide for her family and protect them because of his position of power. When he was assassinated, many of the positive aspects of Allende’s life quickly vanished, just like when Maria’s son died. Another association between Maria and Allende is made when talking about the death of children because, like Maria, Allende’s child died early in
Again this related pretty directly to the sudden murder of her diplomat uncle in Chile. The death of Allende’s uncle was extremely sudden and nobody saw it coming. In the same way, the death of Maria’s son was quite unforeseen as well. Although he was never specifically named in the story, Maria’s son was really special to her, and his blonde hair was extremely significant. In literature, blonde hair often signifies purity, joy, happiness, hope, and optimism. When her son was born, Maria exemplified all of these qualities. Her son was one of the only elements of her life that was important to he, and their future was looking very bright. However, one day “the ship lurched and the heavy metal-edged lid slammed shut, breaking the child’s neck” (Allende 157). Maria’s son, along with all of her hope and optimism, disappeared just as suddenly as Allende’s uncle. Allende’s uncle, who was the president, helped provide for her family and protect them because of his position of power. When he was assassinated, many of the positive aspects of Allende’s life quickly vanished, just like when Maria’s son died. Another association between Maria and Allende is made when talking about the death of children because, like Maria, Allende’s child died early in