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Chapter 2
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The House of Ulloa, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Revolution and Aristocracy
Intentions vs. Consequences
The Political and the Personal
Marriage and Parenthood
Summary
Analysis
Julián wakes the next morning in a room in the manor that is full of golden sunshine. He senses that the abbot used to lodge in this room, back when the abbot was still a chaplain, and Julián finds cigar-butts that the abbot seemed to leave behind. Julián has never found it difficult to be a priest, even when it comes to maintaining celibacy, in part because he’s never been tempted.
The many cigar-butts that the abbot left behind suggests that he didn’t live in moderation. Julián has been disillusioned with his experiences at the manor so far, but the golden sunshine of the morning is the first time that he has begun to see the beauty of the countryside.
Active
Themes
Julián wants to bathe but sees no tools around to do it, so he decides instead to open the window and get fresh air. When he turns around, he is surprised to see Sabel bringing him fresh water. He warns her to knock next time. Julián would like to say a mass, but Sabel tells him that the abbot has the chapel key and doesn’t usually wake up until much later.
Sabel is bold about entering Julián’s room. Although he is of higher social status, he finds her intimidating. The fact that the abbot sleeps in too late to give mass at the chapel is yet another sign of how the abbot is corrupt and has little interest in living out his religious principles.
Active
Themes
Julián asks Sabel about Perucho, and she says that Julián can just look out the window himself and see Perucho skipping stones, having recovered from the wine. Julián nevertheless warns her that she shouldn’t let the marquis and the others get Perucho drunk. He asks Sabel to take him to the marquis, and so they go. As they walk, Julián is impressed by the manor and how lavishly the past Ulloas must have lived. They meet the marquis, who is eager to show Julián even more of the property. They come to the family archives, which include things like papers of nobility, but which are moldy and in disarray. Julián suggests that he could organize them for the marquis, and the marquis agrees.
