52 pages • 1 hour read
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Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. What are your overall impressions of the book? Was Emilia del Valle a likable character?
2. My Name is Emilia del Valle is one of Allende’s more recent novels. Are you familiar with The House of the Spirits, which also involves the del Valle family? Or another one of Allende’s novels that takes place during a political transition, like Eva Luna? If so, how does it compare to My Name is Emilia del Valle? What added context does it give for Allende as a writer?
3. Did you have a favorite character? Who was it? What did they add to the narrative for you?
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. Traveling through Chile, especially at the end of the novel, is crucial to Emilia’s journey of self-discovery. How has travel influenced your life? Can you think of a trip that was similarly meaningful to you?
2. Emilia makes the difficult decision to stay in Chile after she and Eric are summoned home. Have you ever had to make a similarly difficult choice between two things you wanted?
3. Writing is an important personal act for Emilia. What outlets and hobbies do you engage in to explore your own story?
4. Eric points out the similarities between Chile’s civil war and America’s, noting that the United States still hasn’t recovered from the deep divide of Americans turned against their fellow citizens. Do you think that this is still the case today?
Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.
1. Emilia is especially concerned with the stories of those in poverty and how the war affects them more than their wealthier counterparts. Have you seen this paradigm manifest in the modern world? What lessons might we learn from her experiences?
2. Consider the ways in which Emilia pushes back against societal expectations for women in her time. How have things changed since then? Are there ways in which the challenges she faced are still an issue today?
3. Emilia’s position as a writer and journalist is an important part of this novel. How is her experience with the media reflected in today’s attitudes? What has changed, and what remains the same?
Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.
1. Allende is known for her use of magical realism. What are your thoughts on Emilia’s vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe while she’s in prison? What does this experience add to the narrative?
2. Molly gives Emilia a letter to give to Gonzalo that expresses her bitterness toward him, but Emilia decides to break her promise to her mother and burn the letter. How does this decision contribute to the thematic meanings of the novel?
3. Discuss the role that religion plays in the narrative.
4. Trace the development of Emilia’s character over the course of the novel. How does she change? In what ways is she different than the person who arrived in Chile?
5. The title of the novel is My Name is Emilia del Valle, not My Name is Emilia del Valle Claro. Emilia discusses the importance of her relationship with her stepfather, yet his name does not appear in the title of the text. Consider the repercussions of Allende’s decision. How does it affect the novel’s meaning?
Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.
1. The novel ends with Emilia reuniting with Eric in Chile. Sketch out the first chapter of a sequel about Emilia and Eric’s life. What do you think will happen next?
2. If this book were adapted into a movie, what genre would it be and who would be cast in the main roles? Why?
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By Isabel Allende