# LIV explained — María

> Chapter companion for María by Jorge Isaacs.

## What happens

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 night. At the house, he is embraced by Emma, who is dressed in black, and his mother, who tells him that María has died. Efraín is devastated by the news.

## Themes in this chapter

### Disease and Death

María's illness and death are central to this chapter, as Efraín learns of her passing.

### Love and Sacrifice

Efraín's love for María is highlighted as he returns hoping to see her, only to face her death.

## Character check-ins

### Efraín

Returns to his homeland, eager to see María, but is devastated by the news of her death.

### Lorenzo

Meets Efraín with a horse and informs him that the family is in Cali because María is very sick.

### Emma

Dressed in black, she embraces Efraín and reveals that María has died.

### Mamma

Efraín's mother, who tells him that María is in heaven.

## Key lines

> At four of the next afternoon I reached the summit of the Cruces.

Efraín arrives at the top of the Cruces mountain at four in the afternoon.

_Describes his return to the place where he last saw his homeland._

> The family is in Cali.

Lorenzo tells Efraín that his family has moved to Cali.

_Efraín learns that his family is not at the house he expected._

> Justo told me last night that the Señorita is still very sick.

Lorenzo reports that María is still very ill.

_Efraín hears about María's condition._

> Where is she, then? Where is she?

Efraín asks where María is.

_He is desperate to find her._

> My darling boy! ... in heaven!

His mother tells him that María has died and is in heaven.

_The news of María's death is delivered._

## Links

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