Cruel Behavior In Isabel Allende's The House Of The Spirits

Parents are the biggest influences on a child’s life. In Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits the children are treated differently by their parents, Esteban and Clara. Throughout the novel Allende constantly displays Esteban’s cruel behavior towards his children and Clara’s loving nature towards them, and how both their different personalities affect their children.

Esteban has a bad temper, which leads to his children being distraught. Esteban has no respect for his children’s physical well being. When Esteban first discovers Blanca is having an affair with another man, he is enraged. So when he sees Blanca, he is “unable to restrain his evil character and [charges] her with his horse, whip in the air, beating her mercilessly, lash upon

He doesn’t stop beating her until he realizes that, no matter how much he punishes her, she will never tell him the name of her lover. Blanca is bleeding badly and is covered in mud when Esteban finally takes her home. Esteban has no consideration for Blanca’s physical well-being. What's more is that Esteban also has no respect for his children’s emotions. When Esteban finally discovers Blanca is in love with none other than Pedro Tercero García, he is infuriated. Esteban “[kills] him with [his] own hands” (215) to ensure Blanca marries the man Esteban chooses. Esteban wants Blanca to marry the man of his choice so that his reputation stays untarnished. This is because Esteban is Pedro’s patron, and the love between Pedro and Blanca is forbidden. Blanca is distraught at the fact that her beloved is dead. Esteban kills Pedro with no regard for Blanca or her feelings. Furthermore, Esteban does not love his children. He believes that his “three good-for-nothing crazies… [are] ruining his life” (221). Esteban never treats his children fairly or respects them. He does not see his children as a blessing, but rather a curse that is ruining his life. In fact, he exclaims his resent many

Esteban disrespects their children, while Clara values them. Throughout the novel, Allende constantly shows how the behaviors of children towards parents are a reflection of the behaviors of parents towards children. In addition, the children's lives and their actions are directly impacted by the way their parents treat them. Parents have a big impact on their children’s lives, whether the impact be positive or