Family Saga: Structure, Characters, and Narrative Shifts

Change: The narrative shifts from multiple characters in the prologue to focusing on one main character. There's also a change in the narrator, moving from first person to a third-person omniscient perspective. The tower is a key symbol representing the protagonist. Purpose: To reflect a family's history through fragmented perspectives, mirroring life's broken nature. The story is pieced together from these fragments. Topic: The story of a nuclear family, from its growth to its eventual collapse. Structure: The narrative is closed, consisting of three parts and 52 chapters.

Part 1: Approach

This section introduces the main characters and their relationships in a realistic manner. It begins with an epigraph. Several characters harbor a secret, and revealing it will be a sign of weakness, leading to destruction. Linear exposition: 1st generation (I-VIII), 2nd generation (X-XV), 3rd generation (XVII-XVIII). Chapters IX and XVI distance events, with servants speaking.

Part 2: Unveiling

This part, with 21 chapters, shifts towards the characters' inner worlds, idealizing the past. Introspection: 1st generation (I, II, VI, and XXI) = happiness; 2nd generation evokes moments of (IV, V, VII, IX, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX) = progressive unhappiness; 3rd generation (X, XI, XII, XIV, XV, XVI) = the trigger for tragedy. This second part focuses on decline, with each character having their own memories, corresponding to their past life events. Distancing of characters (III and VIII).

Part 3: Outcome

This final part, with 13 chapters, focuses on decomposition. (I, II, II) = Teresa's death. (IV) = revelation: two deceased members (Maria Teresa) survive. (V, VI, VII, and VIII) = how others react to this presence. (IX) = Mary speaks in the first person. (XII) = her redemption and forgiveness. (X) = Sofia's rise. (XI) = Ramon. (XIII) = a new perspective, a rat.

Characters: A large number of characters, predominantly female, with the best-developed being (except for Eladi Farriols). Part I introduces all characters, major (wealthy class) and secondary (humble). Teresa transitions from humble to wealthy. Oppositions include Ramon/Jaume and tower/garden. As years pass, characters become increasingly unhappy, with loneliness accentuated. There are three generations: garden (children, childhood tribute) and tower (adults). Mary has a dual personality (bipolar). Important to note: the triangle of relationships between main characters and opposing relationships = Teresa (good)/Sofia (bad, a continuous struggle).

Point of View

Multiple points of view, where the sum of all is the truth. Important changes in the novel: In the first part, the narrator is omniscient, classified as: Absolute omniscience: the narrator knows everything the characters do and think (1st part, chapter 15). Limited omniscience: the most used, through the perspective of one character (2nd part, chapter 18). Free indirect style: only the character's thoughts are presented (2nd part, chapter 2). Interior monologue: in the first person (3rd part, chapter 9) = narrative objectivism sees everything (God).