# VII explained — María

> Chapter companion for María by Jorge Isaacs.

## What happens

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 daughter, María, to raise as his own. Salomón consents, and María comes to live with the family. Six years later, news arrives of Salomón's death, causing deep sorrow. The chapter reflects on María's integration into the family and the lasting impression she made on Efraín before he left home.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Duty

Efraín's father takes on the duty of raising his cousin's daughter out of friendship and compassion, and the family treats her as their own.

### Love and Sacrifice

Salomón sacrifices his own comfort by giving up his daughter for her well-being, and the family sacrifices to care for her.

### Disease and Death

The chapter deals with the death of Salomón's wife and later Salomón himself, and the grief that follows.

## Character check-ins

### Efraín

Narrator, recalls his childhood memories of María's arrival and the news of Salomón's death.

### María

Arrives as a three-year-old child, later described at age nine with distinctive features and a melancholy voice.

### Salomón

Efraín's father's cousin, a widower who gives up his daughter to be raised by Efraín's family; later dies, as reported in a letter.

### Papa

Efraín's father, who brings María into the family and mourns Salomón's death.

### Mamma

Efraín's mother, who caresses and cares for María as her own.

## Key lines

> She has been my only comfort since Sara’s death, but her being here prevents me from going to India, as I much wish to, both for the sake of my health and on account of a fine business opportunity; since you want her, take her; she shall be your daughter.

Salomón agrees to let his friend take María, explaining that she is his only solace but that her presence keeps him from traveling to India for health and business reasons.

_Salomón's reluctant consent highlights the sacrifice he makes for his daughter's future._

> If I am to be bereft of all, without being able to receive their last farewell, why should I ever go back to my native land?

Efraín's father laments that if he must lose loved ones without being able to say goodbye, he questions the point of returning to his homeland.

_This expression of grief foreshadows the theme of loss and separation._

## Links

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