The Porcelain Fat Lady facts for kids
The Porcelain Fat Lady (Spanish: La gorda de porcelana) is a children's story written by the famous Chilean author Isabel Allende. It tells a magical tale about finding joy and changing your life.
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The Story of Don Cornelio
The story is about a man named Don Cornelio. At the start, Don Cornelio lives a very boring and routine life. He works as a typist in an office, doing the same things every single day. He always leaves his house at the exact same time and takes the same green bus, day after day, week after week. His life is very predictable and doesn't have much excitement.
How Fantasía Changes Everything
One day, Don Cornelio's life changes completely. He sees a beautiful porcelain doll in a shop window. This doll, named Fantasía, is barely dressed and seems to wink at him. Don Cornelio is so fascinated by her that he decides he must buy her, even if it costs him a whole month's salary!
Bringing Fantasía home is a challenge because he's not allowed to have her in his apartment. So, he decides to hide her at his workplace. This is where their special friendship truly begins.
A Magical Flight and New Life
Fantasía is no ordinary doll. She asks Don Cornelio to open the window, and then something amazing happens: Fantasía takes him on a magical flight! This incredible experience makes Don Cornelio realize he wants a different life.
Because of Fantasía, Don Cornelio decides to leave his job after 20 years of loyal work. He starts a brand new life, full of color and happiness. He used to be very shy, but now he talks to everyone in the park, people he had only seen from afar during his work breaks. Don Cornelio transforms into a cheerful ice cream and chestnut seller, wearing colorful clothes and spreading joy.
Inspiration Behind the Story
Isabel Allende wrote The Porcelain Fat Lady in 1984. The story might have been inspired by important events in her own life and in Chile's history.
Chile's History and Pinochet
Some people believe the story could be an allegory, which is a story with a hidden meaning, about the Pinochet regime in Chile. During this time, Chile was under a strict military government led by Augusto Pinochet. Life for many people was controlled and lacked freedom, much like Don Cornelio's monotonous life before Fantasía. The doll and Don Cornelio's transformation could represent finding freedom and breaking away from a restrictive situation.
Isabel Allende's Personal Life
The story was also written around the time Isabel Allende got a divorce from her first husband in 1973. It's possible that Don Cornelio's boring and routine life at the beginning of the story reflects how Allende might have felt during parts of her marriage. His journey to a new, happier life could symbolize her own personal journey and changes.
