Response A
Why does Esteban initially stop going to the red lantern ?
Esteban wants to impress and stay loyal to Clara.
How does Esteban’s treatment of Clara and others reflect the theme of power and control in the book?
Esteban’s treatment of Clara demonstrates his egotistical mindset and the fact that he thinks he needs to control everything and assert dominance.
What happened to Tres Marias after Esteban had married Clara?
Tres Marías expanded and changed.
How does Esteban's behavior in Tres Marias mirror his behavior towards Clara?
Esteban's behavior is mirrored towards Clara because in Tres Marias he attempts to control everything and everyone.
What is meant by the quote “His nights in the town, his cockfights, his gambling, his violent tantrums, and, above all, his bad habit of tumbling girls in the wheatfields were a thing of the past. This they attributed to Clara” (Allende 117)
The quote establishes the idea that Clara was the force that drove this positive change and they view here positively, making him move away from his previous wrongdoings.
What is the significance of the quote “What you need here is a strong government, with a strong man. It would be lovely if we were all created equal, but the fact is we’re not. It couldn’t be more obvious” (Allende 72-73). And what does it reflect about Esteban?
The quote reflects Esteban’s belief in power, hierarchy and control, more specifically it reveals how he believes that for there to be order he needs to have authority and power in his social and personal life, exemplifying his nature and his relation to everything around him.
What is the significance of the quote, “He knelt by her side, crying and begging her forgiveness, trying to explain, calling her by all the special names he used only when they were in bed”(223).
Esteban is a violent and malicious person but at his roots he’s genuinely trying to love Clara and be a better person, and hates himself and takes it out on others for not being able to pursue this love.
What is the significance of the quote, “For a second his fury seemed to deflate, and he felt as if she were making fun of him, but a wave of blood immediately rushed to his brain. He lost control and struck her in the face”(223).
It’s significant because it was known that Esteban had refrained from physically abusing Clara throughout their marriage. However, after Clara had confronted Esteban about his past, and confronted him with a truth that he was not willing to acknowledge (especially with Clara), he became enraged and physically abused Clara.