s own error in logic, he continues to support the “conservative” revolution even though it becomes apparent to the rest of the country that a military dictatorship has arisen. “She had already made up her mind to marry without love.” (90, Ch 3)Allende demonstrates the irony of Esteban’s struggle for Clara’s love throughout the novel while Clara possess a clear indifference in attitude toward her lover from the beginning. She does not marry Trueba from surrender of her emotions but rather out of a premonition she receives about her destiny. This destiny may have been simply to bear children into a position that has the ability to provide an influence in the society around them. She wanted to marry someone with power and received a vision from the future before her marriage that one day he would be able to provide her with this request. “Since when has a man not beaten his wife? . . . when everybody knows he is the one in charge?” (106, Ch 4)This grotesque comment made by the servants at the Tres Marias hacienda serves to blatantly present the ideas of feminine insignificance within this arena of political view. It is expressed even from the viewpoints of the servants, which represent a lower sanding in their society. The significance in this quote can be found in the event when Esteban finally gives in to his violent inner turmoil and slaps Clara to the ground, effectively ending their already semi-legit relationship promptly. Her resistance shows that her pride and dignity still stand and that her strength as a feminine character outweighs the dominance of a physically stronger male figure. “Your body and soul will shrivel up and you will die like a dog!” (132, Ch 4)A prediction made by Ferula, Esteban’s sister, at the time of her eviction from the Trueba household foreshadows the grim final years of Esteban’s existence. These types of premonitions and curses repre...
