# II explained — María

> Chapter companion for María by Jorge Isaacs.

## What happens

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 chapter captures the emotional homecoming and the first stirrings of his love for her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and Memory

The chapter vividly describes the valley's natural beauty, which Efraín had preserved in memory, and the emotional impact of seeing it again.

### Love and Sacrifice

Efraín's immediate emotional reaction to María hints at the deep love that will develop, and the sacrifices it will entail.

## Character check-ins

### Efraín

Returns home after six years, filled with love for his native valley and family.

### María

Present at the reunion, her eyes hidden, blushing deeply as Efraín touches her waist.

### Mamma

Embraces Efraín upon his arrival, her voice a cry of joy.

## Key lines

> After six years, the last days of a splendid August saw me returning to my native valley.

Efraín returns to his home valley after a six-year absence, in late August.

_Sets the scene for the homecoming._

> I was breathing, at last, the fragrance one never forgets of the garden he has seen planted.

He finally inhales the unforgettable scent of the garden he watched being planted.

_Emphasizes the deep connection to home and memory._

> She caught me in her arms, and drew me to her bosom.

His mother embraced him tightly, pulling him to her chest.

_Shows the emotional reunion with his mother._

> Her face was the one to wear the deepest blush as my arm touched her waist; and her eyes were yet moist when she smiled at my first affectionate word.

María blushed deeply when Efraín's arm touched her waist, and her eyes were still moist as she smiled at his first kind word.

_Reveals María's shyness and emotional response to Efraín._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mar_a_se/chapters