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Marianela is a Spanish novel written by Benito Pérez Galdós in 1878.

Plot

The novel takes place in the fictional town of Socartes, Spain. The town's name refers to the philosopher Socrates and his ideas about internal and external beauty. It tells the story of Marianela (sometimes referred to as "La Nela"), a poor orphan girl with an ugly face, and her love for Pablo, a blind boy, who has feelings for La Nela as well. Marianela frequently sings to Pablo, and he believes her beautiful because of her voice. Pablo's father asks a famous doctor to come examine Pablo to see if his sight can be restored. Pablo, full of hope at the prospect, promises La Nela that he will marry her after the operation if it is successful. He is convinced that La Nela is beautiful, even when she tells him otherwise. In the meantime, Pablo's father plans for Pablo to marry his beautiful cousin, Florentina, but tells neither of them about it. Florentina comes to Socartes and when Marianela first sees her, she mistakes for the Virgin Mary because of her beauty. When Florentina is out walking with Pablo and Marianela, she expresses her pity for La Nela because she is poor, abandoned and nobody loves her. She vows to take charge of Nela and clothe and educate her.

Pablo eventually gets the operation that gives him his sight. Before seeing Nela, he sees Florentina and proposes to her instead. Because of this, Nela attempts suicide but is saved by Teodoro Golfín, the eye doctor who cured Pablo. He and Florentina take Nela to Florentina's villa and take care of her while she is hiding away from Pablo because of her looks. Then, due to Pablo's desire to see her, Pablo finds his way to La Nela's room and serenades Florentina. He then sees La Nela in bed and confuses her for "just a poor girl who needs help." La Nela then admits it is she and kisses his hand three times. Upon the third kiss, she dies of a broken heart and leaves Pablo distraught.

Characters

• Marianela - A 16 year old poor girl who looks like the age of 12 and has a passion for Pablo. Not only is she his guide, but his admirer.
• Pablo Penáguilas - A 20 year old blind boy who has a passion for la Nela. Eventually regains his eyesight and because of her beauty, marries his first cousin Florentina instead, causing la Nela to die of a broken heart.
• Teodoro Golfín - The doctor who performs Pablo's eye surgery; he gives him his sight back.
• Carlos Golfín - Engineer of the mines where he lives.
• Francisco Penáguilas - Father of Pablo. cares for his son very much; he is also well respected and very rich.
• Manuel Penáguilas - The brother of Francisco and father of Florentina, the girl who marries Pablo.
• Florentina de Penáguilas - Pablo's cousin, who eventually marries him.
• Sra. Ana de Centeno
• Sr. Centeno - Nela's caretaker. He makes her sleep in a basket in the corner of the kitchen.
• Celipín Centeno - The youngest of the Centeno children. Usually given money by Marianela. Wants to leave Socartes to get an education.
• Sofía de Golfín

Adaptations on film

In 1940, 1955, and 1972, the novel was made into film adaptations. A Mexican TV series based on the novel was filmed in 1961.

External links

• Marianela at Project Gutenberg (Spanish)

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