# XXII explained — María

> Chapter companion for María by Jorge Isaacs.

## What happens

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 of his books, lies about the song's authorship. At dinner, Efraín deliberately offers Carlos the seat María had indicated for herself, and María appears hurt. The chapter explores themes of jealousy, pride, and the subtle dynamics of love and rivalry.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Rivalry

Efraín's jealousy and deception toward Carlos highlight the tension between their friendship and rivalry over María's affection.

### Love and Sacrifice

María's subtle signals and Efraín's deliberate choice to sit elsewhere reflect the sacrifices and misunderstandings in their love.

## Character check-ins

### Efraín

Feels vexed and jealous of Carlos's attention to María; lies about the authorship of the song he wrote.

### María

Sings Efraín's song, appears hurt when Efraín offers her seat to Carlos, and is described as pale and beautiful.

### Carlos Martinez Silva

Visits as a guest, sings and plays guitar, and engages in playful banter with Efraín.

### Emma

Efraín's sister, participates in the singing and brings the guitar to Carlos.

### Don Jerónimo

Carlos's father, talks about farming and a lawsuit with Don Ignacio.

## Key lines

> “What does that remind you of?” he asked, standing the guitar upright on his knees. “Of many things, though nothing in particular.”

Carlos asks Efraín if the tune brings back memories, but Efraín dismissively says it reminds him of many things, though nothing specific.

_Efraín's evasive answer hints at his inner turmoil and reluctance to share memories with Carlos._

> “You must admit that I was victorious,” said Carlos, laughing, “for I gave up the place to you.” “You simply did not oblige me to insist upon it. Now do us the favor to sing.”

Carlos jokingly claims victory in a past dance argument, but Efraín retorts that Carlos only gave up the place without being forced, then asks him to sing.

_The banter reveals the competitive undertone in their friendship._

> “It’s wretched stuff,” I added. “The newspapers publish so many atrocities of that kind! The verses are by a poet of Havana, and you know that in Cuba nature is very much like what it is in Cauca.”

Efraín lies to Carlos, claiming the song's verses are by a Havana poet and dismissing them as poor quality, to hide that he wrote them.

_Efraín's deception stems from his resentment toward Carlos's earlier criticism of his books._

## Links

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