# María — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for María by Jorge Isaacs.

- [Translator's Note](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/translator-s-note.md): The translator's note explains the decision to leave certain Cauca localisms untranslated, as they have no English or Spanish equivalent, and acknowledges the assistance of Señor Carlos Martinez Silva LL.D. in the transl
- [María](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/mar-a.md): This opening chapter introduces the novel's setting and narrator, Efraín, as he returns to his native valley after years of absence. The narrative is rich with sensory descriptions of the landscape, evoking memory and em
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/i.md): Efraín recalls his departure from home as a boy to study in Bogotá. The night before, his sister cuts a lock of his hair as a keepsake, and he is filled with sorrow and foreboding. The next morning, his father must loose
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/ii.md): Efraín returns to his native valley after six years, overwhelmed by the beauty of the landscape and the joy of reuniting with his family. He is particularly struck by María, who now appears as a young woman, and the chap
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/iii.md): The family gathers for supper, with Efraín seated opposite María. The evening is filled with quiet observations and subtle glances. Afterward, Efraín is shown his room, which María has decorated with flowers. Their brief
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/iv.md): Efraín wakes from a dream of María, and observes her in the garden with Emma. After breakfast, his mother asks him to stay close, and Emma questions him about Bogotá society. María's presence is noted, and it is agreed t
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/v.md): Efraín accompanies his father to inspect the valley farms, witnessing the improvements and the slaves' condition. He learns of Pedro's death and attends the wedding of Bruno and Remigia. His father announces that Efraín 
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/vi.md): Efraín returns from the valley and finds María in the parlor. She seems pale and nervous, wearing the overblown pink he gave her and the coral cross he brought from Bogotá. Their quiet exchange is charged with unspoken e
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/vii.md): This chapter recounts the backstory of María's arrival in Efraín's family. Salomón, Efraín's father's cousin and childhood friend, becomes a widower and is grief-stricken. Efraín's father offers to take Salomón's young d
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/viii.md): Efraín, troubled by his earlier quarrel with María, tries to hide his distress at dinner. María is absent due to a headache, and Efraín reflects on his feelings, doubting whether she loves him and feeling unworthy of her
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/ix.md): Efraín rises at dawn and takes a solitary walk through the mountain, reflecting on the unchanged landscape and his memories. He visits old José's cabin, where he is warmly received by José, his wife Luisa, and their daug
- [X](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/x.md): Efraín returns from visiting José's farm, his thoughts consumed by María. He brings wild lilies for her but hesitates to give them due to his resolve and his mother's presence. He finds his vase empty of the flowers Marí
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xi.md): Efraín, feeling guilty after his earlier quarrel with María, tries to appear cheerful and talks about the women of Bogotá. María remains pale and quiet, eventually going to the garden. At dinner, she wears one of the mou
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xii.md): Under the moonlight, Efraín reflects on his love for María and their secret understanding. The next day, he begins teaching María and his sister Emma, and their lessons become a pretext for intimate moments. Emma, aware 
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xiii.md): Efraín returns from the mountain to find María unconscious after a nervous shock. He rushes to her side, where his father reveals that she suffers from the same disease that killed her mother—epilepsy. Overwhelmed by gri
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xiv.md): In the midst of a violent storm, Efraín is called by his father because María has suffered another attack. He rides through the night to fetch Dr. Mayn, crossing a swollen river and enduring the elements, driven by his l
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xv.md): After María's recovery from her epileptic attack, Efraín visits her and learns that she overheard her parents discussing her mother's fatal disease and her own uncertain future. That evening, Efraín's father reveals that
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xvi.md): Ten days after the painful interview, Efraín avoids the house and María, spending time alone or with José. His mother confronts him, revealing that María's illness is not the same as Sara's, and urges him to reconcile. E
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xvii.md): Efraín prepares to visit Emigdio, but Emma teases him about his mood and his friend's sister. His father shows him a new watch and asks him to deliver a message about pasture. In the garden, María gives Efraín flowers, a
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xviii.md): Efraín visits his friend Emigdio, a country boy who has returned from Bogotá. Emigdio confesses his love for a peasant girl named Zoila, which he hides from his father, Don Ignacio. The chapter includes a humorous recoll
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xix.md): Efraín returns home to find María absent, but she soon brings him coffee. They reconcile after their earlier quarrel, with María forgiving Efraín and setting a condition for their renewed harmony. The chapter also includ
- [XX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xx.md): Efraín joins José and Braulio on a jaguar hunt, during which he saves Braulio's life. The chapter also reveals the betrothal of Braulio and Tránsito, and Efraín's growing familiarity with the family.
- [XXI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxi.md): Efraín returns from the jaguar hunt with Braulio, who tricks Juan Ángel into carrying the jaguar's head home. Efraín avoids the family gathering, but the head is revealed at dinner, causing a stir. Carlos and his father 
- [XXII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxii.md): In this chapter, Carlos visits Efraín's family. During a musical evening, Carlos sings and plays the guitar, and María sings a song written by Efraín. Efraín, feeling jealous and resentful of Carlos's earlier criticism o
- [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxiii.md): Efraín retires to his room, hoping to sleep alone, but finds that Carlos will share it. María takes the flowers she had placed in his vase to the oratory, leaving the lilies from the mountains. Efraín gives her the lilie
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xiv.md): Efraín's mother informs him that his father insists María should know about Carlos's proposal. Efraín suggests telling María about his father's consent to their engagement while keeping Carlos's proposal a secret from he
- [XXV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxv.md): Efraín, Carlos, and Braulio go on a deer hunt. Braulio sabotages Carlos's rifle, causing him to miss an easy shot, which humiliates Carlos. The deer is spared at the request of Emma and María. Braulio reveals his trick t
- [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxvi.md): Efraín and María discuss Carlos's proposal, with María revealing that she has spoken with Efraín's mother and will respond to Carlos as expected. Efraín tries to avoid Carlos's confidence, but is saved by Don Jerónimo's 
- [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxvii.md): Carlos, having failed in his proposal to María, confesses to Efraín that he regrets not having confided in him. He explains that his father suggested he marry María, and he agreed, not knowing of Efraín's love. Efraín, i
- [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxviii.md): Efraín and his father work diligently in the study, while María waits for Efraín in the evening. They discuss Carlos's visit and Efraín's confession to him, with María showing concern for their friendship. The chapter en
- [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxix.md): In this intimate domestic scene, Efraín writes letters while his father dictates and shaves. His father calls María in to trim his hair, engaging her in playful conversation about his graying hair and his youthful habit 
- [XXX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxx.md): The chapter depicts a visit from Tránsito and her father José, who come to discuss Tránsito's upcoming wedding to Braulio. Efraín and María share a tender moment, with María giving Efraín a lock of her hair. The family w
- [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxi.md): Efraín prepares to accompany his father to the valley farms, though he is reluctant to leave María. The chapter depicts a tender domestic scene where María and Emma pack provisions, and Efraín and María exchange a privat
- [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxii.md): Efraín and his father work late into the night on business matters. A servant arrives with letters, one of which reveals a major financial loss. The father is devastated, blaming himself for trusting others. They decide 
- [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxiii.md): Efraín returns to find María waiting on a rock overlooking the valley. They share a tender moment, and María recounts a strange encounter with a black bird that had frightened her. Efraín is disturbed by the coincidence,
- [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxiv.md): On the day of Tránsito's wedding, Efraín and María share an intimate conversation revealing their mutual love and fears. María confesses her hope that Efraín's father's financial loss might keep Efraín home, while Efraín
- [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxv.md): Efraín returns home to find his father ill with a fever. The family, including María, cares for him, but his condition worsens. The doctor diagnoses a brain-fever, likely brought on by the recent financial loss. María an
- [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxvi.md): Efraín's father recovers from a critical illness, and the family enjoys a period of peace. However, a letter from Señor A⸺ confirms that Efraín must depart for Europe in a month. Efraín offers to abandon his studies to h
- [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxvii.md): Efraín's father formally asks María to promise to marry Efraín upon his return from Europe. María agrees, with conditions that Efraín go cheerfully and study hard. The family shares an emotional evening, with Efraín stru
- [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxviii.md): Efraín arrives at the farms to find Feliciana, his old nurse, gravely ill. Despite his efforts to make her comfortable, she dies that evening. The slaves hold a vigil with a mournful hymn, and the next day Feliciana is b
- [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxix.md): Efraín and María share a tender evening in the garden before his departure. María's playful innocence and deep affection are evident as they recall past moments, plant lilies as symbols of their love, and discuss plans f
- [XL](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xl.md): Efraín returns from the mountain at noon and meets María at the bath, where they engage in playful banter about the Undines. Later, in the parlor and sewing room, their flirtation continues, touching on themes of jealous
- [XLI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xli.md): On the eve of Efraín's departure, the family prepares his luggage. María and Efraín share an intimate conversation on the corridor, exchanging rings as tokens of their commitment. A black bird startles María, foreshadowi
- [XLII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xlii.md): Efraín accompanies his father on a farewell visit to Don Jerónimo's farm, where he spends time with Carlos, who expresses his boredom and longing for Bogotá. On the way back, Efraín meets Custodio, who shares his worries
- [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xliii.md): Efraín acts as a mediator between Salomé and Tiburcio, who are estranged due to Tiburcio's jealousy over Justiniano. Efraín convinces Tiburcio to visit Salomé and reconcile, while also reassuring Salomé of Tiburcio's lov
- [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xliv.md): Efraín returns home at five o'clock to find María waiting with his mother and Emma. After a brief exchange, María and Efraín go to the garden to water the flowers. There, María confesses her deep fear of Efraín's impendi
- [XLV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xlv.md): Efraín visits Braulio's family to say goodbye before his journey. He helps milk the cow, teases Lucía about a potential suitor, and shares a breakfast prepared by Tránsito. The farewell is emotional, with Efraín giving h
- [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xlvi.md): Efraín descends from the mountain, bidding farewell to the landscape, and returns home to find María in a cheerful mood. They share a tender conversation through the grating, where María reveals she has been ironing his 
- [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xlvii.md): On the night of the twenty-ninth, Efraín takes leave of his family and María, then lies awake until the dreaded hour of departure. He sleeps fitfully, haunted by María's sobs and memories. At dawn, he prepares to leave, 
- [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xlviii.md): Efraín, now in London, receives a letter from María that vividly describes her longing for him and the unchanged state of his room at home. She writes of the withered flowers, the calendar still on the fateful date, and 
- [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xlix.md): Efraín receives letters from María that grow increasingly melancholic. Señor A⸺ arrives in Paris with letters from home, revealing that María is gravely ill and that Efraín must return to Cauca immediately. María's lette
- [L](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/l.md): Efraín arrives at Buenaventura on the schooner Emilia López, eager to return home to María. He reads a letter from her expressing hope and love. He is greeted by Lorenzo, a trusted family friend, and stays with the colle
- [LI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/li.md): Efraín and his companions continue their journey down the Dagua River, facing the dangers of the wilderness and the night. The chapter captures the melancholy of departure, the beauty of the natural surroundings, and Efr
- [LII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/lii.md): Efraín continues his arduous journey through the treacherous Dagua river, facing difficult terrain and a violent rainstorm. The boatmen, urged by Lorenzo, push hard to reach Juntas before dark, where D⸺, a former servant
- [LIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/liii.md): Efraín and Lorenzo continue their journey through the night, determined to reach Cali quickly. They stop briefly at Hormigero and Hojas, where they meet Justo and other mule-drivers, sharing chocolate and brandy before p
- [LIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/liv.md): Efraín returns to Colombia, reaching the summit of Cruces and seeing the Cauca valley again. He learns from Lorenzo that the family has moved to Cali because María is very ill. He rides urgently to Cali, arriving at nigh
- [LV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/lv.md): Efraín awakens in his family home, surrounded by loved ones, and learns of María's death. His mother and sisters tend to him, but he is consumed by grief and a desire to know the details of María's final days.
- [LVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/lvi.md): Two months after María's death, Efraín remains too grief-stricken to visit her grave. Emma gradually reveals María's final messages and the events of her last days. María, aware of her impending death, left farewell gift
- [LVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/lvii.md): Two months after María's death, Efraín receives the last of Emma's story and the key to María's closet. He visits his father, who gives him Salomón's will and dowry papers, confessing his role in separating Efraín from M
- [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/lviii.md): Efraín spends his last night in his childhood home, reflecting on the past and the memories of María. He reads the letters they exchanged, holds her braids, and dreams of her as his wife, only to wake to the cold reality
- [LIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/lix.md): Efraín departs from his home, stopping at the cemetery to visit María's grave. He prays with José's family, receives a crown of flowers from José's daughters, and bids a final farewell to María's grave before riding away

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