Genre
Spanish Literature Novel
Setting and Context
The novel is set after the Spanish Civil war in Barcelona, Spain.
Narrator and Point of View
This is a third-person narrative told from Andrea's point of view.
Tone and Mood
The tone is motivational and the mood is sad
Protagonist and Antagonist
Andrea is the protagonist of the story.
Major Conflict
The civil war destabilizes Andrea's life because her parents are killed, and she is left to rely on government aid.
Climax
The climax is Andrea gets a career and moves out of Barcelona.
Foreshadowing
Meeting Ena’s family foreshadowed Andrea’s bright future.
Understatement
The conditions Andrea's grandmother lives in are understated. At her old age, she should be taken good care of by ensuring high levels of hygiene.
Allusions
The story alludes to the actual life of Carmen.
Imagery
Sight imagery is used when describing Andrea’s grandmother house. The author writes, "In front of me was a foyer illuminated by the single weak light-bulb in one of the arms of the magnificent lamp, dirty with cobwebs that hung from the ceiling. A dark background of articles of furniture piled one on top of the other as if the household were in the middle of moving."
Paradox
The main paradox is wheDarkgovernment deviates from its primary role of serving the people to benefit only those in power.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
War is personified as an individual whose intention is to destroy lives.