form of credit, but gradually became a substitute for legal tender” (60). These positive aspects of Trueba's successful business ventures and politics allow his family and tenants to live comfortably. Evidence of Trueba's emotional decline is prominent in that as his power increases “his bad temper becomes legend, and grows so exaggerated that it even makes him uncomfortable” (63). The source of his anger may be traced back to his mother according to the theory of Carl Jung, one of the most respected and recognized psychologists of all time. Trueba “had never really loved his mother or felt at ease in her presence” (71) and she had “peopled his childhood with prohibitions and terrors and weighed his manhood with responsibilities and guilt” (72). Like his relationship with his mother, Trueba's anima (a female-like projection used by male egos to hold on ties to their mother) is underdeveloped. As a result, his temper is legendary; he is described by Allende as follows: “his most salient trait was his moodiness and a tendency to grow violent and lose his head, a characteristic he had had since childhood, when he used to throw himself on the floor foaming at the mouth, so furious that he could scarcely breath, and kicking like one possessed by the devil” (41).Trueba is successful politically and financially, but he suffers emotionally. As Trueba's wealth and power grow, his relationships with his family members and tenants crumble. His failure to achieve a balance between his priorities and the needs of other people causes many disturbances in the social interactions throughout his life. Trueba attempts to solve many problems through the use of his uncontrollable fits of rage, and this is his ultimate downfall. Trueba is unable to comprehend the effects of his actions and he refuses to realize his emotional decline, resulting in his long and miserable life until he dies in the arms of ...
