Masculinity and interaction with women Masculinity is portrayed by Esteban Trueba in The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende and by Colonel Aureliano Segundo in One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Márquez through their interactions with women characters. These two similar characters show their personalities in the way they act within their communities. Esteban Trueba is a very aggressive character who seeks the potential to create a prosperous environment for his family. He is very violent with everything that comes into contact with his presence, but not in all situations. Any arrogant character like Esteban has a flaw in his actions. Clara is his only love and he is obsessed with her. That doesn't stop him from taking his anger out on her. He is also very understanding with his niece Alba, with whom he forms close relationships. Esteban is similar to that of the character in One Hundred Years of Solitude, Colonel Aureliano Buendia. The colonel is not motivated by anyone and seems to worry about his own loneliness. He also brings with him a soft and caring side to his indifferent personality. Remedios Mascote, his child bride, is the only character who touches him in his life. Colonel Aureliano is deeply affected by the setting of the novel and this helps develop his response towards women. Esteban has always been neglected by his sister Ferula. She always tried to bring his morale down by insulting the very instinct that made him stand out as a man. Ferula never admired her brother and “kept him down” and “made him feel guilty” (Allende 43). Esteban would not accept the unfair treatment from his brother. He decided to do what the men of the house are forced to do: go to work and be independent. Esteban discovered that “…… middle of paper…… Esteban Trueba in The House of the Spirits and Colonel Aureliano Buendia in One Hundred Years of Solitude develop through the interactions made with the women they encounter in their life and family. Both characters are depicted as troubled by their ability to love and show affection to those who rely on them. Esteban Trueba releases his love in an attempt to get Clara to notice him. Colonel Aureliano Buendia is also a male character who learns how to respect women by learning values ​​from Ursula. Word Count: 1234Works CitedAllende, Isabel. The House of Spirits. Trans. Magda Bogin. New York: Perennial Classics, 1993. PrintGarcia Marquez, Gabriel. One hundred years of solitude. Trans. Gregorio Rabassa. New York: Bantam, 1993. Print