Isabel Allende’s Violeta– Plot Summary
Violeta Del Valle’s story is told in About Violeta. Violeta was born in an undisclosed South American country during the Spanish flu epidemic in 1920.
She was the youngest daughter of her family and had five older brothers. The novel recounts the scene during the 2020 pandemic, when Violeta is a ripe old woman of 100 years.
She writes a letter to her grown grandson, telling him about her many problems. Violeta is born into a powerful family on a stormy night at the beginning of the novel.
Her father soon loses everything in the Great Depression, and the family is forced to transfer from the comforts of their capital house to the modest rural countryside.
Violeta is similar to Isabel’s earlier work, The House of Spirits, in that it deals with personal and political change that spans decades. Violeta also describes the coups, military uprisings, and other horrors that seemed to engulf South America in the 1970s.
Violeta had a long and passionate but turbulent relationship with her ex-husband and son’s father. Her son is a journalist who has been blacklisted by the government due to his profession. To flee, he first seeks asylum in Argentina, then in Norway.
Violeta ultimately found a lover and peace in a retired diplomat who is also a naturalist after this traumatic era in her life.
The story spans a century and includes surviving a pandemic, the Great Depression, the loss of ancestral riches, political changes, marriage troubles, estrangement, and finally peace.
Themes in “Violeta”
“Violeta” is a short story by Isabel Allende about a young girl named Violeta who is forced to escape her family in Chile during the 1970s political unrest. Several themes are addressed in the story, including:
Political Violence: Political violence is one of “Violeta’s” main themes. The story takes place during the Chilean coup d’état, and Violeta’s family is forced to flee their house due to the country’s violence and instability.
The story demonstrates the devastation caused by political violence on individuals and families.
Another prominent theme in “Violeta” is loss and displacement. Violeta’s family is forced to abandon their home and everything they know in order to begin a new life in a new nation with a different culture and language. The novel delves into the emotional toll of relocation and the challenge of adjusting to a new life.
Violeta’s family is able to find support and solidarity in their neighborhood, despite the hardships they confront. The story emphasizes the value of family and community in times of distress, as well as the various ways in which individuals can come together to help one another.
Lastly, “Violeta” is a story about overcoming adversity through resilience and fortitude. Despite everything, Violeta remains optimistic and motivated to establish a better life for herself and her family.
The story praises the human spirit’s tenacity, as well as the power of hope and determination in the face of adversity.
The characters in “Violeta”
Violeta, the main character in Isabel Allende’s “Violeta,” is a little girl. She is regarded as a sensitive and attentive child who is severely affected by her country’s political turmoil and instability.
Violeta and her family are forced to escape their home and begin a new life in a new nation.
Violeta demonstrates tenacity and persistence throughout the story. Despite her difficulties, she remains optimistic and works hard to acclimate to her new life and create a brighter future for herself and her family.
Her experiences with bereavement, displacement and political violence mold her character and perspective, and she eventually emerges as a symbol of the human spirit’s fortitude and resilience.
There are various other characters in Isabel Allende’s “Violeta” besides the major character Violeta. These are some examples:
Violeta’s parents are depicted as caring and protective of their children. They are badly affected by their country’s political violence and are forced to emigrate to protect their families.
Aunt Nieves is a strong and independent woman who assists Violeta’s family in their time of need. She gives them a place to stay and guides them through their new life in a new country.
Don Andres is a wealthy businessman who gives Violeta’s family a job and a place to live. He is depicted as harsh and aloof at first, but as the novel unfolds, he becomes more empathetic and understanding of Violeta’s family’s struggle.
The Community: Throughout the novel, Violeta’s family is supported by the community of exiled Chileans in Venezuela. They give them food, clothing, and emotional support as they adjust to their new life in a foreign nation.
Violeta’s experiences and viewpoint are shaped by all of these personalities, showing the significance of family, community, and support in times of distress.