Abstract
This study examines political consciousness and feminist interpretations of social events in Isabel Allende’s Violeta and The House of the Spirits, focusing on how historical and political realities shape women’s identities and resistance within patriarchal societies. Using a qualitative sociological content analysis, the study draws on feminist existentialism, particularly Simone de Beauvoir’s concept of woman as the “Other,” to analyze character development, narrative structure, and socio-political contexts embedded in the novels. The findings reveal that Allende intricately links personal experiences with broader political forces such as dictatorship, social injustice, and class conflict, portraying women as active agents who challenge gender hierarchies and reclaim autonomy. Characters such as Violeta, Clara, Blanca, and Alba demonstrate feminist awakening through resilience, emotional labor, and political engagement, illustrating how women’s lives are shaped by, and respond to, political oppression and social transformation. The study also highlights Allende’s use of historical realism and feminist discourse to amplify marginalized voices and critique male-dominated power structures in Chilean society. Practically, this research contributes to feminist literary studies by offering a framework for understanding how political awareness and gender consciousness intersect in Latin American literature. It further provides insights for scholars and students examining the role of literature in reflecting social change, empowering women’s voices, and fostering critical awareness of gender and power relations.