Marco Corrao Period 3 Nov.

11th, 2015

Chapter 7
G – Style Analysis

Chosen passage: page 214-215

Allende’s writing stands out for its clearness and richness. A copious use of adverbs, adjectives,
similitudes and metaphors gives to her style an incredible worth. Indeed, her writing is made even
more valuable by the bright use of historical and mythological references –allusions- that the author
is able to offer. A clear example of these techniques can be appreciated in the passage cited above,
where Allende describes the wedding organized by Esteban for his daughter.

First, it easy to notice the liveliness of the description, which catches the reader in a whirlwind of
colors, sounds, tastes and scents. Let us consider, for instance, the apparently endless description of
the food that the author provides. Particularly remarkable, let’s notice the use of figurative language
the author attributes to each element, thereby enhancing the power of this description. The reader can
experience in their mind the “scandalous number of whole steers”, or the “torrent of exotic liquors”,
as well as the “flood of champagne”.

Even more interesting, this passage offers us the possibility to see how the power of Allende’s style
is also rooted on the use of historical references. A first example may be seen on the way the author
refers to the party as “Caligulaesque”, with a clear reference to the Roman emperor remembered
through history for his extravagance, and megalomania. Further on in the passage, we can find the
phrase “Greco-Roman pleats”. References to the Greco-Roman culture are not over: moving a few
lines forwards, the reader can notice how the wedding cake is presented as a replica of the Acropolis,
including some of the most suggestive Greek divinities. Clearly, the author’s choice of these
references is not random. The Greco-Roman culture, in fact, is universally considered a symbol of
beauty, harmony and magnificence. It represents, therefore, a perfect match to describe such a
luxurious wedding.

Overall, this passages gives us the possibility to have a concrete example of how an incredibly
attention to details, together with a superb use of figurative language and a surprisingly smart
implementation of allusions makes Allende able to depict the scenes present in the book as having a
camera. The reader has, this way, the possibility to thoroughly experience these scenes, resulting in
a smooth and pleasant reading of the book.
394 words
Marco Corrao Period 3 Nov. 11th, 2015