El mar que nos trajo - Griselda Gambaro - Capitulos 9 y 10

El mar que nos trajo - Griselda Gambaro - Capitulos 9 y 10

The Birth of Isabel and Family Dynamics

Luisa and Doménico's Marriage

  • After two years together, Luisa and Doménico welcomed their daughter Isabel, later named Isabella. They married modestly ten days post-birth at a civil registry.
  • During their journey to the registry, Doménico appeared detached from Luisa, even eyeing other women, indicating underlying tensions in their relationship.

The Complex Relationship with Natalia

  • Doménico refused to acknowledge Natalia as his daughter despite Luisa's attempts to include her, reflecting his resentment towards her past.
  • Luisa struggled with postpartum responsibilities while feeling guilty for not being able to care for the newborn fully; she relied on Natalia for help with Isabella.

Sibling Dynamics

  • Natalia initially felt love for Isabella but viewed Agustina differently due to her frail appearance and lack of smiles, leading to feelings of pity rather than affection.
  • As Natalia cared for both sisters, she developed a bond with Isabella through playful interactions while remaining distant from Agustina.

Agustina's Illness and Death

Agustina's Struggles

  • At two years old, Agustina remained weak and often cried; Doménico tried comforting her through songs in his dialect.
  • Tragically, Agustina passed away after a brief illness that lasted two weeks, leaving the family in mourning.

Impact of Loss on Isabella

  • Following Agustina’s death, the household fell silent; conversations became hushed as they coped with grief.
  • Isabella felt abandoned during this time; she sought comfort outside but was met with indifference from peers like José.

Coping Mechanisms Post-Tragedy

  • José attempted to console Isabella by offering her a coin as a gesture of comfort. However, it failed to alleviate her sorrow over losing Agustina.

The Emotional Turmoil of Isabella

Struggling with Grief and Innocence

  • Isabella is depicted in a moment of vulnerability, crying as José observes her. His youth leads him to misunderstand the depth of her pain, highlighting the theme of innocence amidst suffering.
  • José attempts to comfort Isabella by dismissing her tears, revealing his own discomfort with emotional expressions. He feels a mix of admiration and despair when he receives no response from her.
  • The narrative shifts as Isabella fears that Natalia might come for her, linking this fear to the concept of death. This introduces a sense of foreboding and anxiety about familial relationships.

A Shift in Environment

  • As night falls, a neighbor takes Isabella away from her familiar surroundings, emphasizing the transition from childhood innocence to an unsettling reality filled with grief and loss.
Video description

Un hombre recién casado viaja desde una Italia en guerra hacia América, junto a tantos otros inmigrantes, en busca de un horizonte mejor. Buenos Aires es promesa de trabajo y de futuro. A comienzos del siglo XX, las historias circulan, y tienen como protagonistas a los más desafortunados: pobres, migrantes, marginados. Todos ellos se reúnen en el escenario de Buenos Aires, a donde llegan las nuevas ideas políticas, como el anarquismo, las tradiciones cotidianas y las tragedias familiares.