The Bridge of San Luis Rey: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Bridge of San Luis Rey" is a novel that explores the lives of five individuals who perish in the collapse of a bridge in 18th-century Peru, examining their stories through the eyes of Brother Juniper, a friar who seeks to understand the divine reasoning behind their deaths. Major characters include the Marquesa de Montemayor, a possessive mother whose selfishness is confronted through a letter from her maid, Pepita, leading to her moment of self-awareness just before the tragedy. Pepita, unhappy in her role, finds her voice through her correspondence, which reveals the Marquesa's flaws. Uncle Pio, a devoted mentor to the actress La Périchole, is heartbroken by her pride and subsequent downfall. La Périchole herself, who rises to prominence but suffers a loss of beauty and pride, faces her fate alongside her illegitimate child, Jaime, who is cared for by Uncle Pio. The narrative also features Esteban and Manuel, twin brothers with a deep bond, whose love for the same woman complicates their relationship. Additionally, the Abbess Madre Maria del Pilar serves as a compassionate figure, guiding the young characters. This exploration of their interconnected lives sheds light on themes of love, sacrifice, and the search for meaning in the face of tragedy.
The Bridge of San Luis Rey: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Thornton Wilder
First published: 1927
Genre: Novel
Locale: Peru
Plot: Philosophical realism
Time: Early eighteenth century
Brother Juniper (JEW-neh-pehr), a Spanish friar who tries to prove that the collapse of the bridge of San Luis Rey in Peru is an act showing the wisdom of God, who properly sent five persons to their deaths in the accident. For his book, which is condemned by the Church, the friar is burned at the stake.
The narrator, who finds a copy of Brother Juniper's eighteenth century book and reconstructs for the reader the lives of the five persons who died when the bridge collapsed.
The Marquesa de Montemayor (mohn-teh-may-OHR), an ugly woman with a beautiful daughter. She is highly possessive and selfish, first to her daughter and then to Pepita, her maid. By reading a letter from Pepita to an abbess the Marquesa learns her own nature, becomes contrite, and resolves to be a better woman, only to die the next day when the bridge collapses.
Pepita (peh-PEE-tah), maid for the Marquesa de Montemayor, who dies also when the bridge collapses. She is unhappy when she is sent from her convent by the Abbess Madre Maria del Pilar, whom she loves, to serve the noble-woman. Her letter confessing her unhappiness reveals to the Marquesa the noblewoman's thoughtless and self-centered life.
Uncle Pio (PEE-oh), an actor who discovers La Périchole singing in a tavern. He makes a great actress and singer of her, and comes to love her. He is disappointed by the girl, who becomes the mistress of the Viceroy and soon is too proud for her own good. Uncle Pio takes her illegitimate child to rear, but the next day he and the child are victims of the collapse of the bridge.
Jaime (HAY-meh), illegitimate son of La Périchole and the Viceroy. He dies when the bridge collapses.
Esteban (ehs-TEH-bahn), a young man whose twin brother gives up his love for La Périchole because of the affection between the two brothers, foundlings reared by the Abbess Madre Maria del Pilar. Manuel dies, and his brother, who becomes a victim of the bridge's collapse, is inconsolable.
La Périchole (PEHR-ee-choh-leh), an actress who is overly proud, especially after becoming the Viceroy's mistress. Her pride diminishes when smallpox destroys her beauty. She puts her son in the care of Uncle Pio the day before both of them die.
Manuel, twin brother of Esteban. He hides his love for La Périchole so he will not hurt his brother's feelings, but in a delirium, close to death, he reveals his secret passion.
The Abbess Madre Maria del Pilar (pee-LAHR), who befriends the twin brothers, Esteban and Manuel, as well as Pepita, the girl who becomes the Marquesa de Montemayor's maid. The Abbess is a wise and kindly woman.
Doña Clara, cynical daughter of the Marquesa de Montemayor. She learns too late of her mother's change of heart and inner goodness.