Character Analysis of Teresa, Salvador, and the Valldaura Family

Teresa Riera: The Matriarch

Teresa is the central character who remains present throughout the novel, from the beginning until her death at the end. Throughout her life, she is associated with three men: Nicholas, Salvador Valldaura, and Miquel Masdeu. Teresa was somewhat reserved and had three grandchildren: Maria, Ramon, and Jaime. She shared a particularly close bond with her grandson Jaime, who frequently visited her to spend afternoons in conversation. Teresa consistently sought to resolve the conflicts among her grandchildren. Unlike her relationship with Jaime, her dynamic with Ramon was more strained. Teresa often reminisced about her mother, for whom she felt great admiration. Ultimately, Teresa was a person of great heart who possessed a deep love for flowers.

Salvador Valldaura: A Generous Protagonist

Salvador Valldaura appears at the beginning of the novel. He meets Barbara and falls deeply in love with her, which explains his shocked state when he learns of her suicidal tendencies. After meeting Teresa, he grows to love her as much as he loved Barbara, though he always keeps a corner of his heart reserved for the latter. Salvador and Teresa marry and have a daughter, Sofia. However, Salvador dies before he can witness Sofia's marriage to the shopkeeper, Eladi. Salvador and Teresa are the primary protagonists; without them, the first and second generations of the story would not exist. Salvador was a remarkably generous man, and upon his death, he leaves Teresa to care for the family home.

Sofia Valldaura and the Farriols Family

Sofia is one of the most significant characters in the novel. As the daughter of Teresa and Salvador, she marries twice: first to Eladi and later to Mr. Desfargues. With Eladi, she has two sons, Ramon and Jaime. Tragically, Jaime is murdered by his siblings, Ramon and Maria. At the end of the story, Sofia moves to France following the death of her mother, Teresa. Upon her return, she reunites with her only surviving son, Ramon, who is married with children.

Eladi Farriols: Life and Legacy

Eladi Farriols is a man who works at a clothing store in Barcelona. He meets a woman named Pilar Segura, with whom he has a daughter, Maria, who eventually dies by suicide after jumping from the roof of their home. At the store, he meets Sofia and eventually marries her; they have two children, Jaime and Ramon. Unfortunately, Eladi dies after a few years. Throughout the story, numerous secondary characters appear, including:

• The various girls who passed through the house of Teresa Riera
• The notary
• Armanda, the cook who maintains the Teresa household
• Miquel Masdeu