Esteban Trueba In Three Marias example essay topic

THE SUCCESSES AND FAILURES OF ESEBANTRUEBA Esteban Trueba's triumphs and defeats Isabel Allende documents The House of the Spirits. After leaving, his mother and sister, and starting a new and independent life, Esteban changes much. For the first time he is successful and wealthy. He feels as if he has no problems, mainly because he does not have a family to weigh him down. Trueba's move to Three Marias seems to appease his hunger temporarily, before his monstrous, demanding, and ever growing needs overwhelms him. The type of lifestyle achieved by Esteban Trueba in Three Marias far surpassed that of living with his mother and sister, however only brief moments of satisfaction are incurred.

These, previously mentioned, moments created a hunger for perfection and greed that would continue perpetuate at any cost. Receiving a letter from Ferula brings back memories for Esteban of his sad life with her and his mother, which forces him to endure his memories of poverty and pain. He even remembers the smell of medicine, which had encompassed their home. These memories force Esteban to reflect on the reasons why he left them. He reminisces on that portion of his life, occupied by the deterioration of his family. Ferula endured many burdens as well, due to their father's drinking, then his death, their mother's age, her chronic sicknesses, and Esteban's childhood care.

A direct result of these chaotic years is the siblings inability to relate. When Esteban bought a luxury, an elaborate coffee with his money she scolded him for 'spending Mama's medicine money on [his] private little whims' (Allende 43). Eventually Esteban tires of this oppressive way of life and goes to search for a 'destiny that was bright, free, and full of promise' (Allende 44). At TresMarias he hopes to find his Eden. All this cargo from his pastis called to his attention by the letter he receives from Ferula. The letter does result in inflicting guilt on Esteban, for his lack of morals and complete selfishness.

Ferula tells Esteban, in the letter, that their mother wants to see her son again before she dies. 'Esteban had never really loved his mother or felt a tease in her presence,' but he knew that resisting this visit to pay his last respects would be unethical (Allende 71). Visiting 'this woman who was always present in his nightmares,' was unavoidable: death is final and feelings are not (Allende 72). Ferula never enjoys the pleasure in her life, part of Esteban's dilemma before moving to Three Marias. Yet, Esteban hopes to avoid his kin for the rest of their lives. Esteban should not dwell on his family, especially when everything in his life has gone considerably better without them.

As any family member will attest, there are always strong family ties regardless of ones denial. The temporary feelings of a son will eventually leave and regret will occur, for not visiting, writing or caring while a loved one was still available. For Esteban, his move to Three Marias simplified his life, he had no family problems, no financial problems, and he believed that he was content often. He was practically a king, do what he pleases on his land with many uneducated servants, meaning free labor. In Three Mariaspeople wait on him, he has wealth and unbridled freedom. None of these luxuries came into Esteban's dreams until he moved there.

He likes Transi to Soto and lends her money to start a new life for herself, away from the brothels. This was one of the few times throughout the book in which Esteban is philanthropic. After so many grinding and sorrowful years, the opportunity Esteban has to meet new people and thrive in a new town temporarily appeased him. Esteban comes to believe that the first time he sat down in the first class car of the train that being first was his pursuit of happiness and independence. Presumably for Esteban Trueba, marriage, children, and control, all found at Three Marias, would ensure his happiness. Despite the prosperity which Esteban achieved at Three Marias, he would still remain an abrasive man who could not accept failure or weakness.

Prosperity, women, children, and wealth would never compensate for his eternal bitterness which could be attributed to his childhood and early adult years.