House Taken Over by Julio Cortázar Analysis & Summary #HouseTakenOver #JulioCortázar #ShortStory

Summary

In this video, the narrator provides a detailed analysis of Julio Czer's 1946 short story *The Taken Over House*. The tale revolves around a brother and sister who, after inheriting an old family house, are slowly driven out by an unknown, sinister presence. As the siblings are forced to retreat into one part of the house, their once safe haven turns eerie and uninhabitable. The unsettling atmosphere builds until the siblings are ultimately forced to abandon the house. The story explores themes of isolation, fear, and the loss of security in familiar spaces.

Takeaways

• 😀 Julio Cortázar's short story 'The Taken Over House' is a suspenseful and dark tale of two siblings, the narrator and his sister Irene, who are slowly driven out of their family home by an unknown presence.
• 😀 The story is set in a large, inherited family home in Buenos Aires, which the narrator and Irene maintain by cleaning it daily, despite its vast size.
• 😀 The siblings have led an isolated life, with the narrator losing his fiancée Maria Esther before he could propose, and Irene rejecting two marriage proposals.
• 😀 The siblings do not work for a living, instead deriving income from outlying farms they have inherited.
• 😀 The house itself is described as vast and divided into two wings, one of which is gradually taken over by a mysterious force.
• 😀 The siblings' relationship is marked by routine, emotional distance, and an unease that slowly grows as the unknown force begins to encroach upon their home.
• 😀 The narrator hears strange noises from the back wing of the house, prompting him to lock it off from the rest of the property, marking the first indication of the invasion.
• 😀 Over time, the siblings adapt to living in a smaller part of the house, but they grow increasingly disturbed as the presence in the house grows stronger.
• 😀 The narrator and Irene eventually flee the house when the force takes over completely, leaving behind their belongings, including money and personal items.
• 😀 The story reflects themes of fear, isolation, and the fragility of security, with the house serving as a metaphor for how even familiar spaces can become threatening and hostile.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Julio Cortázar's 'The Taken Over House'?

The central theme of 'The Taken Over House' revolves around the psychological tension and fear that the narrator and his sister Irene experience as their home is gradually overtaken by an unknown, unsettling presence. It explores themes of isolation, the fragility of what is considered a safe space, and the growing fear of losing control over one's environment.

How does the setting of the house contribute to the story's mood?

The setting of the house, a large and old family residence in Buenos Aires, plays a crucial role in establishing a sense of isolation and unease. The vast, sprawling nature of the house, along with the characters' detailed cleaning routines and the growing presence of the unknown force, creates a feeling of confinement and psychological tension, enhancing the story's suspenseful atmosphere.

Why are the characters, the narrator and Irene, never married?

The narrator and Irene have never married due to their intense dedication to maintaining the house and the emotional ties they have to it. The narrator had a fiancée, Maria Esther, who died before they could marry, and Irene turned down two suitors over the years. The house's upkeep, which requires hours of daily work, prevents them from forming other relationships.

What role does Irene's knitting play in the story?

Irene's knitting symbolizes both her practicality and the monotonous, repetitive nature of the siblings' lives. She knits functional clothing, contrasting with other women who knit for leisure. Her knitting also becomes a motif of isolation, as it signifies her retreat into a routine, and later, the knitted yarn is linked to the house's takeover, suggesting a deeper connection between her activities and the encroaching presence.

What is the significance of the narrator and Irene's decision to live in only one wing of the house?

The decision to live in only one wing of the house is symbolic of their growing isolation and the loss of control over their environment. As the unknown presence takes over the other half of the house, the siblings retreat into a smaller, more manageable space, adapting to a new, limited existence. This shift reflects their psychological response to the invasion and their helplessness in the face of it.

What does the narrator's reaction to hearing the 'invaders' signify?

The narrator’s reaction to hearing the invaders in the house, where he immediately rushes to shut the oak door and locks it, signifies his growing paranoia and fear. His fear of the unknown presence is both a physical and psychological reaction to the breakdown of safety and security in his home. It underscores the creeping dread that permeates the story.

How does the relationship between the narrator and Irene evolve throughout the story?

The relationship between the narrator and Irene evolves as they become more reliant on each other for comfort and reassurance. Their lives become increasingly confined to the small area of the house they occupy together. The psychological stress of the house's takeover deepens their bond, but it also highlights their isolation from the outside world and their growing dependence on their limited space.

What is the symbolic meaning behind the yarn that Irene leaves behind when they flee the house?

The yarn left behind when Irene flees the house symbolizes the remnants of her life and routine within the house. As the invasion takes over, the yarn is dragged beneath the door, signifying her entanglement in the house’s fate. It suggests that the house's takeover has displaced not only the siblings physically but also emotionally, severing their connection to their previous life.

Why does the narrator dispose of the key to the house in the sewer?

The narrator’s decision to throw the key into the sewer represents his final severance from the house and his belief that the house, now taken over, is no longer a place of refuge. It is a symbolic act of abandoning the past and accepting the irreversible change that has taken place, underscoring the theme of helplessness in the face of an unknown force.

What message does the ending of 'The Taken Over House' convey?

The ending of 'The Taken Over House' conveys the unsettling message that home is not always a place of safety. The siblings are forced to leave their once-beloved home, now overtaken by an unknown presence, which serves as a metaphor for how even the most familiar and cherished spaces can become hostile and threatening. It reflects themes of vulnerability and the unpredictability of life.