cipated and second, the village is already “infected” with the socialist disease, as he would refer to it. “For the first time in her life she took charge of material things . . . for she could no longer rely on her husband, on Ferula, or on Nana.” (164, Ch 5)The plot development is found taking place in this quote by advancing the ideas of feminist seclusion found in the previous excerpts. The passage of time allows Clara the chance to break free from some of her protective shells of masculinity. She gains the opportunity to fend for herself and realize what it means to be self-dependant, an important aspect in the struggle for women’s independence. “She was a charitable and generous women, eager to make those around her happy– everyone except me.” (179, Ch 6)The characterizations presented her show Clara to be a very generous woman capable of infinite amounts of love and affection for others. The irony however is found in that her desire to be with her husband has not simply expired, but has never truly been in existence, from the time she stated that she had married without love. This is a very torturous concept in Esteban’s life, as he is obsessed with Clara’s mind body and sole. The more he desires to consume her, it seems the further she is driven to seclude herself and find independence. “ . . . the coming elections were their chance to shake off the yoke under which they had always lived.” (191, Ch 6)This symbolism portrays socialism as a method of breaking free from the conservative shell under which all lower class individuals live. They are not given the proper ability to provide any time of self enterprise but instead are subjected to a vicious cycle of debt and poor paying, manual labor intensive, jobs which turn out to be dead ends with no types of employee benefits. The social echelon denies them access to the possibilities of living in the levels of...
