Inés of My Soul

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Inés of My Soul

• Ercilla y Zúñiga, Alonso de, The Araucaniad (1945)
  This is an English version of Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga's famous 16th century poem. La Araucana. This poem is alluded to frequently in Allende’s book both for its historical depiction of events that take place in Inés of My Soul and for its sympathetic view of the Mapuche Indians. Because the poet preferred the lyrical sound of “Araucanía” to “Mapuche”; history still uses that name for the native tribes of Chile who fought the Spanish invaders.
• García Márquez, Gabriel, One Hundred Years of Solitude (1970)
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• Isabel Allende, The house of the spirits (1985)
  This was the novel that made Isabel Allende famous. It received Best Novel of the Year in Chile and became a best seller around the world. The story tells about a Latin American family over four generations through the perspective of Esteban and Clara Trueba. It has elements of magical realism and uses characters that are based on real poets and politicians.
• Isabel Allende, My invented country: a nostalgic journey through Chile (2003)
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• Sandra Benítez, Bitter Grounds (1997)
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• Laura Esquivel, Like Water for Chocolate (1992)
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• Vernon, Ida Stevenson Weldon, Pedro de Valdivia, conquistador of Chile (1946)
  Original research and biography about the life of Pedro de Valdivia. This book records the history of Chile until 1565. It was also used as a thesis at the University of Texas.

Major Character List

Inés of My Soul

• Inés Suarez – A Spanish woman who follows her husband to the Americas. She becomes the lover of Pedro de Valdivia and helps found the city of Santiago, Chile.
• Juan of Málaga – Inés’ shiftless first husband who abandoned her to go to the new world and look for gold.
• Pedro de Valdivia – A Spanish captain of the Peruvian conquest who is sent by Francisco Pizarro to subdue the Indians of the South (the Mapuche) and create the country of Chile.
• Rodrigo de Quiroga – Hidalgo, governor of Chile, and final husband of Inés.
• Isabel - Rodrigo de Quiroga’s daughter and Inés’ much loved step-daughter. .
• Catalina – The trusted Quechua native servant of Inés, who is also a gifted healer.
• Cecilia – A beautiful Peruvian princess who accompanies her Spanish husband and becomes a close and valued friend to Inés.
• Lautaro/Felipe – A Mapuche Indian leader, found as a child and raised by the Spanish; he returned to his native people and taught them how to fight the Spanish technology.
• Yanaconas – Friendly Quechua Indian natives from Peru who help the Spanish conquistadors fight, found cities, and mine the resources of their new settlements.

Discussion Questions

Inés of My Soul

1. This book tells the story of Inés Suárez a brave conquistadora who helped build the nation of Chile. How could a female help found a country?
2. Compare the roles of men and women in 16th century South America. Was Inés typical of women of her time? How was she special?
3. Contrast the depiction of Spanish settlements in South America with early North American settlements like Jamestown. How were they the same? What was unique to Spanish conquests?
4. The author describes ceaseless conflict and terrible atrocities committed by both the Spaniards and the Mapuches. Inés seems to pity and understand both sides. Who do you find yourself sympathizing with: the Spanish settlers or the native tribes?
5. Were you surprised by Felipe’s return to his people? What motivated him to turn on his Spanish mentors?
6. How has warfare evolved? What parallels do you see to the treatment of the Native Indians in North America in the 18th century or the slave trade in Africa?
7. Inés comes to the Americas looking for adventure and Pedro Valdivia is seeking honor and glory. How do the adventures they survive change who they are and what they seek?
8. Compare all three of Inés’ lovers? How does her taste in men develop as she grows older?
9. How do you feel about Pedro de Valdivia? Did your perception of him change when he abandoned Inés? Were his actions justified?
10. Allende uses magical realism characteristic of late twentieth-century Latin-American fiction to counterbalance the political realities of history. Describe some of the fantastic elements and events that take place.
11. Does the fact that the story is recounted by an old Inés looking back and narrating from memory allow the author to create a different or more balanced point of view? How would the book have differed with another way of recounting it.