How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
When he saw his daughter, Esteban Trueba was unable to restrain his evil character and he charged her with his horse, whip in the air, beating her mercilessly, lash upon lash, until the girl fell flat and rigid to the ground […]
"Who is it? Tell me who it is or I'll kill you!" (6.54)
Esteban's "evil character" is constantly getting the better of him and causing him to inflict punishments that he regrets later, in moments of greater sanity.
Quote #8
He lost control and struck her in the face, knocking her against the wall. Clara fell to the floor without a sound. […] Two days later, Clara and Blanca left Tres Marías and returned to the capital. Esteban, humiliated and furious, remained with the sensation that something in his life had been destroyed forever. (6.62)
This is a turning point for Esteban Trueba – while his relationships with his family have already been deteriorating, the violence he inflicts upon his daughter and wife completely severs his relationship with them.
Quote #9
It took me several minutes to calm down and realize that I hadn't killed him. My first reaction was one of relief, because the feel of his warm blood on my face had quickly taken the edge off my hatred, and I had to make a real effort to remember how badly I had wanted to kill him to explain the violence that was suffocating me, making my chest nearly burst, my ears buzz, and my eyes cloud over. (6.87)
For once, the punishment that Esteban inflicts is less violent than he intends. Instead of guilt and remorse for having let his temper get the best of him, as is usually the case, Esteban's reaction is one of relief that he failed to kill Pedro Tercero.