The Book as a Whole: Don Juan's Fate

[Stephanie]

What do you think happens to Don Juan in the final chapter? What do you think about the story that Alma tells Cristóbal on the final page? How did you feel at the end of the book?

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[smg5775]

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Stephanie wrote:

What do you think happens to Don Juan in the final chapter? What do you think about the story that Alma tells Cristóbal on the final page? How did you feel at the end of the book?

Well, I certainly hated thinking Don Juan died but if he died then he did it to protect the love of his life, Dona Ana. He died living by his code of honor. Alma's story of Dona Ana going to a convent then leaving after 3 months with a "priest" is a romantic ending. It leaves the possibility open that Don Juan didn't die. It gives hope that Don Juan found his happiness and was able to live with her. Thinking that maybe Don Juan lives gave me a happily ever after feeling. I like books that end happily. I don't want to think he died, that his love of life, his vitality, his virility were gone from the world.

[Stephanie]

Sheila,

I'm with you - I suppose with an ending like this one, we make a choice about what we want to believe. It would be interesting to read about Don Juan in the New World, with children of his own - how would he share with them the beliefs that he prizes?

[smg5775]

What an idea--Don Juan in New Spain! I think he'd teach his sons about life and freedom but I think he'd coddle his daughters but keep them on a tight leash. Nothing worse than a reformed rake. His daughters would rebel though. It would be quite a story to read.

[Stephanie]

Sheila,

I agree about the daughters - he would keep them close, and tell them what men are "really like" - ha! I'd like to see the sons growing up to marry - I think they'd have happy wives.

(PS - I have a great fun-loving friend named Shela, and every time I type to you, I want to remove your "i" - I'm doing well to remember though! )

[smg5775]

Don't worry about misspelling my name. I have relatives who still can't spell it right.

[Stephanie]

Actually, it's our friend who spells it oddly, and for years I wanted to add the "i" to hers. My mother was very fond of traditional spellings for names, and she passed that trait to me.