House Taken Over Rhetorical Analysis

Julio Cortázar’s short story, "House Taken Over," presents a case on the consequences of isolationist values as well as the dangers of acting in self-interest. Cortázar carefully and deliberately lays out literary elements such as symbolism and metaphor, as well as characterization, to argue that the pursuit of personal gain at the expense of others can have disastrous implications for both individuals and society as a whole. "House Taken Over" tells the story of two siblings who lived in each other's comfort, rarely leaving their home since they never saw the need to. They were rich, with more than enough money coming in from their family’s farms to live comfortably. And while trying to enjoy a comfortable evening, the narrator discovers a

The house, the grand mansion in Buenos Aires, is symbolic of the wealth and privilege that come with being a member of upper-class society. However, as the story progresses, the mansion eventually becomes completely irrelevant to these characters. At the beginning of the story, the house is described as: Contrary to this luxurious description, it is the unknown force that pushes these characters to retreat into rooms that seem to become smaller and smaller just to avoid it. What was once used as protection from the outside world was now wrapped around their necks, squeezing them as tightly as possible until they could no longer handle it. The house serves as a metaphor for the isolationist tendencies among the upper class. The siblings, who were once comfortable with their own privilege, now face fear as they feel unwelcome in their

These forces can take many forms, such as poverty, disease, or even a revolution by the lower classes. By using this symbol, Cortázar is able to show how easily the privileged lifestyle of the upper class can be threatened by external factors. In the story, the siblings initially try to defend themselves against the unknown force by barricading themselves in one part of the house. However, as the unknown force continues to spread, the siblings are forced to abandon their possessions and flee the house, highlighting their vulnerability in the face of these uncontrollable forces. The unknown force can also be interpreted as a metaphor for the lower classes, who are often seen as a threat to the privileged lifestyle of the upper class. By personifying this threat, Cortázar emphasizes the need for social cohesion and cooperation between different classes in order to prevent the destabilization of society. In this sense, the unknown force can be seen as a call to action for the upper class to take responsibility for the well-being of society as a whole rather than acting solely in their own