DRESSES AND FASHION ACCESSORIES IN LA FAMILIA DE LEÓN ROCH BY BENITO PÉREZ GALDÓS
DRESSES AND FASHION ACCESSORIES IN LA FAMILIA DE LEÓN ROCH BY BENITO PÉREZ GALDÓS

Summary/Abstract: Elegant dresses and fashion accessories are especially prominent in this novel, as they reveal the ups and downs of marriage. Spouses do well when their women wear beautiful dresses, accessories, and jewellery. María is a very religious young woman, who is flattered by León Roch’s courtship. As far as he is concerned, León is attracted to Maria’s beauty and deludes himself with thinking that he will be able to educate her, since he is educated, passionate about science and an atheist. The union of the two will end in indifference, despite their initial love. At first, Maria discovers her passion for fashion, and her husband’s money allows her to buy dresses and hats from Paris; she becomes a woman both beautiful and flirtatious. Her attitude lasts for a few years, during which each spouse tries to change the other, León wants María to stop going to church so much, and María wants León to become a believer, throw away his science books and pray with her. However, they both eventually get irritated by these attitudes and grow apart each day. Maria becomes much more devoted than she was at the beginning of the marriage. She decides to give away her pretty dresses and completely renounces coquetry, to wear a brown coarse wool dress every day. Her husband walks away from her and finds comfort in the arms of his former girlfriend. Hence, jealous María asks to borrow a dress and matching accessories to go find her husband.

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