Thank You, Allende.
Although the women in this book are not in our culture or society, I believe Allende purposely depicted them this way to parallel women today. Paulina, Joe Bonecrusher, Miss Rose, Mrs. Andieta, and Eliza all are entrepreneurs of their own making. Paulina is by far the most successful woman entrepreneur, and she is contrasted with her husband who scoffs at her first business endeavors and in the end profits from them and relies on them. Joe Bonecrusher is, in my opinion, the most creative because she invents a business endeavor and succeeds. This parallels women in present day culture and society because more and more women are breaking into businesses and breaking the glass ceiling. Paulina was an exception in those days, but “Paulinas” are becoming more and more prevalent. I think that by writing this novel in the present day about women in history, Allende is complimenting the women of today as successful businesswomen.
