The Bridge of San Louis Ray

What is love? According the Merriam- Webster Dictionary love is,1.Affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties; 2.A warm enthusiasm or devotion; 3.The object of attachment, devotion, or admiration; and 4.Unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another. The Bridge of San Luis Rey, written by Thornton Wilder shows us four different loving relationships.

The Marquesa de Montemayor and her daughter, Dona Clara's relationship is one of an obsessive nature. The Marquesa had never known love in her life. Her father abused her, and she was forced into a marriage. Due to the negligence of those around her, when she has a child of her own, she becomes very hopeful that this daughter will show her pure, compassionate love. Sadly, the very intensity of the Marquesa's love drives her daughter away and makes her unlovable to her as well. Upon reaching marriageable age, Clara deliberately chooses a Spaniard, the Conde Vicente d'Abuirre, as her husband, thus putting an entire continent between herself and her overbearing mother. Bereft of her daughter's company, the Marquesa develops an untreatable case of separation anxiety, and the obsessive nature of her love for her daughter drives her mad.

Another relationship in that is similar to this one in the book is that of Uncle Pio and Camila La Perichole. Uncle Pio found Camila singing in a bar when she was twelve years old. Uncle Pio then becomes her caretaker and father figure. Like the Dona Clara, Camila begins to resent Uncle Pio's love. However, unlike the Marquesa, Uncle Pio loved Camila out of compassion. The relationship between Uncle Pio and Camila was a give and take, one sided relationship. It wasn't until after the fall of the bridge that Camila saw how much Uncle Pio truly loved her.

The Relationship between The Abbess of the convent, Madre María del Pilar, and Pepita is also similar to that of the mother and daughter. Like the Marquesa, Pepita idolized the Abbes. She needed the love from her. In return, the Abbess used Pepita as a way to spread the word of religion. She also loved Pepita because she pitied her, but doesn't realize how much she has lost until she is gone.