Guernica ~Pablo Picasso (political upheaval)
            Pablo Picasso created the Guernica to demonstrate the consequences and suffering of war, specifically after the Spanish Civil War. Although The House of the Spirits revolves around the Chilean Revolution in 1973, elements parallel both countries. The painting depicts violence and pain, yet it is a symbol of anti-war. Similarly, Allende wrote her novel from the opposite political view of her personal beliefs. Political upheaval is a prominent theme. Even though Allende was related to the socialist president, her central character, Estaban Trueba, was strongly capitalist. In addition to this contrast, both demonstrate the dark and dreary times of conflict. The black, white, and gray portray a solemn tone amongst the chaos and suffering. On his work, Picasso commented “The Spanish struggle is the fight of reaction against the people, against freedom”. This same quote can be applied to the characters in Chile or in The House of the Spirits. 


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Power of Women ~Biswarup Ray 
(Gender inequality, women, family)

                  This picture depicts the distinguished presence of women in the novel. The House of the Spirits centers around three main women: Clara, Blanca, and Alba. Each distinct event or turning point occurs because of the womens’ actions, whether it be falling in love, death, birth, or marriage. Furthermore, unlike how some of the male characters are presented as malicious, greedy, or violent, the women are the true protagonists of the story. Although gender inequality is shown in the novel, each female is strong and independent, such as those represented in the painting. In fact, the women, through passive and subtle determination, are able to make long-lasting effects, like pillars in the illustration. Unlike how the men used brute fighting and rebelling, the women use art and writing to convey their points.

                  The picture also demonstrates the family lineage that is passed down through the course of the book as the lady is holding up the head of another in the artwork shown. There are two main families in The House of the Spirits: the Garcias and the Truebas. Although the two families cross paths on several accounts, there is a greater emphasis on name rather than blood. For example, Esteban Trueba tries to ignore some of his biological children and focuses solely on those with the same last name. Each character eventually had to choose their last name as a sign of alliance and loyalty. 

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Class Struggle ~Diego Rivera (class struggle) 

            The title and images in this particular mural draw parallels to themes in The House of the Spirits. Although Diego’s work is post-revolution and Allende’s is pre-rebellion, both depict severe class divisions. In the novel, there are predominantly two social groups: the educated, white class and the impoverished, natives. The higher class has great influence on business and politics, while the lower class struggles with education and involvement. The great disparity between the two classes are the cause for much of the tension and conflicts in the novel and in the mural. 

Citations: 

"Guernica (painting)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 May 2014. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.

"Power Of Women by Biswarup Ray." Fine Art America. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.

"Pablo Picasso." Guernica by. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.

"Images of Murals by Diego Rivera in the Palacio Nacional De Mexico."Images of Murals by Diego Rivera in the Palacio Nacional De Mexico. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2014.

"The Socialist Art of Diego Rivera." Resources Research. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.