The Stories of Eva Luna

Miracles happen in The Stories of Eva Luna. This motif, a component of Allende’s magical realism, highlights Language and Storytelling as Tools for Survival while also emphasizing the characters’ resilience in the face of adversity.

In “Ester Lucero,” an “absurd miracle” occurs when a doctor from a remote Indigenous tribe heals a man who has been sliced open with “a deep slash that began in the middle of his back and ended at mid-chest" (116), using only herbs, dancing, and words. Years later, Angel Sánchez repeats that same ritual to save the life of Ester Lucero. This story highlights the complexities of using a word like “miracle.” In this case, the word is used by Sánchez himself; likely, the Indigenous doctor would not call his healing a miracle. “Miracle” is often used to describe wondrous events that one doesn’t understand or can’t fully explain; they might have divine or magical roots, or they may not. Allende leaves this question open in “Ester Lucero.” She allows for the concept of a miracle to be a kind of storytelling, a narrative used to explain or understand something fantastic. This use of language allows characters like Angel to access the power of the miracle to survive.

“A Discreet Miracle” features another healing miracle, but this time, it is brought about through the aid of a local Christian saint. Although the Vatican has not yet acknowledged her sainthood, the local community appeals to Juana of the Lilies for aid. Again, Allende does not answer explicitly whether Juana is a saint who can bring about divine miracles. However, Allende describes a faithful community that believes strongly in Juana’s story. Juana’s reputation grows as her story is repeated, thus bringing more people to her grotto to ask for aid. The miracle of her healing powers is a narrative that is shared from person to person until it grows into something larger. Miguel’s eyesight miraculously returns after he and his siblings beseech Juana of the Lilies for her intervention; whatever the root of her powers, a story brings them to her, and healing results.