The Shadow of the Wind-Week 7, Post B

The story of Penelope Aldaya and Julian Carax resembles a Romeo and Juliet sort of tale. It is the story of forbidden love and ends with the loves becoming separated, never to see each other again. Neither of them dies, but Penelope’s family moves to Argentina, taking her with them. Julian is left alone in Paris, having just fled Barcelona. They sneak around for quite some time before they decide to run away together. Unfortunately Mrs. Aldaya walks in on Julian and Penelope one day, causing much controversy. Julian is forced to leave Barcelona or his father and Mr. Aldaya will dispense him to the army. The day Julian and Penelope were discovered was the last time they ever saw each other. It is a truly tragic story. I made another connection with the story of Romeo and Juliet however. Jacinta is the maid who works in the Aldaya home and she is Penelope’s best friend. Penelope has known her all her life and tells her absolutely everything. Jacinta reminds me of the nurse from Romeo and Juliet because of her close connection to Penelope and her help to give Julian and Penelope time together. She covers for Penelope on many occasions while she and Julian are sneaking around and even looked for opportunities for the two of them to be together. Penelope meant everything to Jacinta and they had full trust in each other. I would not be surprised if Carlos Ruiz Zafon had the story of Romeo and Juliet in mind while inventing the love tale between Penelope and Julian.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 7, Post A

Women are perceived in a more domestic fashion in the time and setting of The Shadow of the Wind. They are expected to stay at home and care for the children and house. This perception does not surprise me considering the time period this story takes place. During the 1940s in Europe, women did not have all the freedoms they have today. Domesticity was expected of them. There also seems to be a great lack of respect for women by the men in this story. The language and the context they continually use while discussing women is disrespectful and knows no boundries. The men are not ashamed of what they are saying and appear quite shallow to a female like me. There has been a plethora of men who shamelessely cheat on their spouses and also men who are only satisfied with the most beautiful of women. The men seem to have standards for women that they expect all women to uphold, which is a riduculous request.