Places Discussed
*Paris
*Paris. Capital of France in which the members of the Desnoyers family settle after vacating their inherited fortune from the late gaucho grandfather. Don Marcelo and his family establish their residence in avenue Victor Hugo, a posh section for the well to do. Their son, Julio, lives in a studio in rue de la Pompe, apparently to get away from his millionaire father’s scrutiny and his mother’s constant worries about his extravagant ways while claiming that he needs quiet so he can paint. However, free from parental supervision, he carouses well into the night and sleeps well into the day. His Parisian lifestyle reinforces the novel’s depiction of the city’s decadence on the eve of World War I, to whose approach the Desnoyers are oblivious. Meanwhile, rumors of a coming war reach a fever pitch in Paris. Julio’s Russian neighbor equates the coming war with the biblical story of the four horsemen of the apocalypse: Plague, War, Famine, Death.
*Berlin
*Berlin. Germany’s capital city is depicted differently. Its residents welcome the prospect of war and celebrate German militarism.
*Lourdes
*Lourdes (lewrd). Town in southwestern France near which the Desnoyers own a castle and a cattle farm. After Germany invades France, Don Marcelo travels mostly on foot to the town to check on his property. He finds that the Germans have pillaged the town and his castle, which they make their temporary headquarters. At Lourdes, he finally grasps the reality of war when he sees the full horrors of the German invasion.
Literary Techniques
The Narrative's Structure
The tale unfurls with a classic linear progression, guiding readers through time with a seamless grace. Occasionally, however, the narrative takes a detour, dipping into the past to unveil hidden details or secret revelations. Such is the case with Marcelo Desnoyers, whose life story is peeled back through evocative flashbacks, or as characters drift into reminiscence. An example is Karl von Hartrott, who, following a minor scandal, finds himself exiled from Germany, compelled to forge a new path in Argentina. This piece of history is relayed through the lens of his brother-in-law Desnoyers, long after the dust has settled. Adding a layer of intrigue, the enigmatic Russian, Tchernoff, injects a sense of wisdom and foresight, contrasting the otherwise straightforward nature of the plot's characters.
Themes and Characters
In shaping the essence and figures of this narrative, Blasco Ibanez meticulously crafts personalities and scenarios that mirror pivotal historical episodes. It is no mere coincidence that Marcelo Desnoyers finds redemption on the battlefield, albeit symbolically, a chance to atone for his youthful timidity. In stark contrast, the once frivolous and indulged Julio rises to near-heroic status, casting aside his former self as he valiantly perishes for the cause. The unfolding historical events serve as the crucible through which the von Hartrotts' inevitable downfall is realized. The plot is deftly woven, allowing characters to embody the author's vision of history in action.
Literary Precedents
Blasco Ibanez often declared with admiration that his foremost role model was none other than Miguel de Cervantes, the genius behind the timeless Don Quixote (1605 and 1615). In the realm of more contemporary influences, he has readily acknowledged Victor Hugo as a vital wellspring of inspiration, both as a writer of towering talent and as a fervent activist. Several discerning critics have noted the striking resemblance in technique between Hugo's vivid battle of Waterloo scenes in Les Miserables (1862) and Blasco's own detailed portrayal of the battle of the Marne.
In more recent scholarly analyses, a connection is often drawn between Blasco's works and the novels penned by his Spanish peer, Benito Perez Galdos. Yet, it is worth noting that neither author would have eagerly embraced such a comparison, each steadfast in their unique literary journey.
