A Long Petal of the Sea

Just as World War II is beginning in Europe, the refugees arrive in Chile. Matias Eyzaguirre, Ofelia’s suitor, is the consular official who stamps Victor, Roser, and Marcel’s visas. The ship’s final stop is at Valparaiso, Chile, where the refugees are met with crowds of supporters. There are a few protesters as well, but even Captain Pupin has changed his mind about the refugees, calling them “upright, disciplined, and respectful” (125).

Felipe del Solar is among those welcoming the refugees, and he travels with them on the train from Valparaiso to Santiago. Impressed with Victor’s medical experience and Roser’s musical talents, Felipe invites them to live with him for the time being. The Dalmaus accept the offer. Roser easily finds work as a pianist and music teacher, and Victor takes a job at a bar but plans to complete his medical studies. Juana, after one week’s time, goes to Felipe’s to meet his lodgers and finds herself taken with the baby Marcel.

In Paris, Isidoro and Laura are “caught unaware by the news that war has been declared” (131). Isidoro must scrap his plans to send Ofelia to a finishing school in London and hastily make arrangements to return home. The family obtains passage on the last departing Chilean ship, “a cargo boat full to bursting” (132). To provide these wealthy Chileans passage, the authorities are about to disembark a Jewish family. Without her parents knowing, Ofelia intervenes and volunteers her cabin for that family. Isidoro and Laura find the journey home torturous; the unbearable discomfort is made all the more so with Ofelia’s presence in their cabin. In contrast, Ofelia finds this experience more rewarding than the trip over.

Felipe and Matias greet the family at the port. Deeply in love with Ofelia, Matias pursues her hand in marriage despite her reluctance. Soon he is off to Paraguay to serve in the ambassador’s office. He had hoped Ofelia would accept his proposal before he left, but she puts him off. He vows to be patient with her.

As Christmas approaches, the del Solars prepare for a big feast. Juana, given her affinity for Marcel, somehow convinces Isidoro to invite the Dalmaus to the feast since they are lodging with Felipe. Isidoro considers them communists and atheists who conform to the stereotype he holds of the resistance. If the Dalmaus had been Chilean, the social class system would never have allowed their invitation. As exotic foreigners, however, they are “in limbo” and able to mix social classes. Roser wins over the del Solars with her piano playing, while Marcel plays with Leonardo, the del Solars’ youngest son. Reverting to his characteristic shyness, Victor is more circumspect, yet he and Ofelia are instantly attracted to each other. Felipe and Roser notice this connection, with Felipe warning Ofelia off and Roser advising Victor to put that girl “out of your mind” (140).

Thanks to Felipe’s connections with Salvador Allende, Victor’s medical courses in Spain are validated, and he is enrolled to complete his studies at the School of Medicine. Salvador Allende is a cofounder of the Socialist Party and the current minister of health. When Victor thanks him for his intervention, Allende asks if Victor will play chess with him, which sparks friendship between them. Victor and Roser see Felipe less, as they have their own apartment now, but their friendship continues.

While studying medicine by day, Victor continues to work in a bar by night. There, he meets Jordi Moline, a wealthy businessman and Catalan widower. Jordi proposes that they open a “Catalan-style tavern” together, with Jordi covering the initial investment and Victor contributing his experience. Though initially reluctant, Roser encourages Victor to do it. Appealing to a “faithful clientele of Spanish immigrants” (144), they call the tavern the Winnipeg. Roser becomes its bookkeeper. Ever practical and determined, Roser plans to enroll at the Faculty of Music once Victor finishes his medical studies. She and Victor love one another, sharing “everything apart from a bed” (144).

Finally, Ofelia agrees to marry Matias, with a date set for the following year. Father Vincente Urbina blesses the rings. Ofelia is not looking forward to marriage and is already “planning a whole rosary of excuses for postponing the wedding” (148). The real reason for her hesitancy is her love for Victor Dalmau. By chance, Victor and Ofelia encounter each other in Santiago. That night, they make love at a hotel. Unbeknownst to Victor, it is the first time for Ofelia.

With the help of the chauffeur, Ofelia manages to see Victor again. He has explained his unusual marriage with Roser. They profess their love for one another, but Victor is clear that he will not abandon Roser and Marcel. Nonetheless, Ofelia breaks off the engagement with Matias, saying she is in love with someone else. When Isidoro hears this, he forbids Ofelia from leaving the house but exempts her art classes. Instead of attending those, Ofelia meets with Victor. Roser realizes Victor is in love, but she does not know with whom until she sees Felipe at President Cerda’s funeral. When he mentions that Ofelia’s wedding was postponed, she has no doubts. Once again, she warns Victor off Ofelia, but he claims that Ofelia accepts that they can never be together openly. Despite his love affair with Ofelia, Victor and Roser’s relationship strengthens during this time.

With it becoming increasingly difficult to see Ofelia, Victor occasionally plays chess with Salvador Allende and continues his medical studies. The arrangement with Jordi Moline is working out splendidly, as Jordi is happy with the modest earnings from the Winnipeg and considers Marcel “the grandson he never had” (162). As Roser has regular recitals at the Venezuelan embassy, she meets the ambassador, Valentin Sanchez. Both he and Roser love music and dream of creating “an orchestra of ancient instruments” (164). She also inquires about Aitor Ibarra, who immigrated to Venezuela, but she has no luck finding him.

Ofelia is pregnant, a fact that Juana discovers. When asked the father’s identity, Ofelia responds that she would “rather die than tell you” (165). Juana asks Felipe for help, but it is clear that Isidoro and Laura must be told. Predictably, Isidoro is enraged and slaps Ofelia. The family calls Father Urbina, who comes to the house that night. An abortion is out of the question. Father Urbina’s plan is to move Ofelia far from Santiago for a few months and then to a convent when the pregnancy becomes obvious. She will give birth at the convent, and the baby will be adopted by a good family.

Before Via the chauffeur is sacked, Ofelia sends a letter to Victor ending their relationship, explaining that her “passion had been like a drunken spree that had clouded her reason” (171). Ofelia says she is going away and warns Victor never to communicate with her again. Roser suspects pregnancy but says nothing to Victor, who accepts the letter resignedly. Angry at herself and hating Victor, Ofelia resents the fact that she is “suffering the consequences” while Victor had “pleasure with no risk” (173). Despite her anger, Ofelia is energized once the morning sickness passes. By the sixth month, though, Ofelia stops activities and puts on much weight. She is miserable.

When Ofelia goes to the convent, she is given a Spartan cell but is grateful for its simplicity. Here, Ofelia changes her mind and informs Father Urbina that she wants to keep the baby. Given that and concerns about a difficult birth, Father Urbina summons Ofelia’s mother to the convent. Laura is given a cell there and is happy with the peace of the religious life. Unconscious for the birth itself, Ofelia is told that her baby boy has died. Howling like a “she-wolf” (183), Ofelia is drugged for two weeks. They visit the cemetery to place flowers on the baby’s grave, which is unmarked, on the way home.

At home, Ofelia returns to her art classes and takes them seriously. Unexpectedly, Matias calls on her. Ofelia confesses her story to him, though she does not tell him Victor’s identity. Despite that and the extra pounds Ofelia now carries, Matias again proposes marriage to her. He loves her still. Ofelia accepts, and she appreciates Matias for the first time, deeming him “more mature and solid, handsomer” (185). Father Urbina marries them. Before the couple leaves for Paraguay, they place flowers on the baby’s grave. Ofelia vows to love Matias “as he deserves,” and Matias, “as stubborn and determined as an ox” (187), finally has his bride.