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The House of the Spirits Study Guide

by Isabel Allende

The House of the Spirits study guide contains a biography of Isabel Allende, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

The House of the Spirits opens with the del Valle family gathered together in church on Holy Thursday. Father Restrepo pronounces young Clara possessed by the devil. The body and possessions of Uncle Marcos are dropped off at the del Valle household, and Clara takes Barrabas, Uncle Marcos's dog, as her own. Esteban Trueba wins Rosa's hand, but before they can be married, she is poisoned to death by accident in place of Severo. After witnessing Rosa's autopsy, Clara resolves not to speak for nine years.

The story shifts to Esteban's family life. His sister, Férula, is sacrificing her youth to care for their ailing mother, Doña Ester. After spending many months mining, Esteban decides to raise the old family hacienda, Tres Marias, out of ruin…

Read the full The House of the Spirits Summary

• The House of the Spirits Summary
• About The House of the Spirits
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 1-2
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 3-4
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 5-6
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 7-8
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 9-10
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 11-12
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 13-14 and Epilogue
• The Military Coup of 1973-1975
• Related Links on The House of the Spirits
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• The House of the Spirits: Major Themes
• The House of the Spirits: Essays
• The House of the Spirits: Questions
• The House of the Spirits: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Isabel Allende: Biography