# María — María character guide > María in María by Jorge Isaacs. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Señorita María, Señorita **First appearance:** 0001-mar-a ## Snapshot The orphaned girl raised as a daughter in Efraín's family, whose beauty and devotion are shadowed by an inherited illness that may claim her young. ## Who they are María has loved Efraín since childhood, and her affection is so intense that the family doctor believes it feeds the epileptic seizures threatening her life. She moves through the household as a beloved almost-daughter, singing, praying, and teaching the children, yet her body carries the same disease that killed her mother. Her love and her frailty are inseparable, and that knot of tenderness and dread drives the novel's central ache. ## Relationships ### [Efraín](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/efrain) _romantic_ Efraín and María are deeply in love, sharing a passionate and tragic romance that defines the novel. ### [Juan Ángel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/juan_angel) _family_ Juan Ángel is María's cousin, and they share a warm, familial relationship. ### [Emma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/emma) _family_ Emma is María's cousin and close friend, treating her like a sister and supporting her relationship with Efraín. ### [Carlos Martinez Silva](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/carlos_martinez_silva) _social_ Carlos knows María through Efraín and treats her with respect and friendliness, but they are not close. ### [Efraín](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/efrain) _romantic_ Efraín and María are deeply in love, sharing a passionate and tragic romance that defines the novel. ### [Efraín](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/efrain) _romantic_ Efraín and María are deeply in love, sharing a passionate and tragic romance that defines the novel. ### [Carlos Martinez Silva](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/carlos_martinez_silva) _social_ Carlos knows María through Efraín and treats her with respect and friendliness, but they are not close. ### [Emma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/emma) _family_ Emma is María's cousin and close friend, treating her like a sister and supporting her relationship with Efraín. ### [Juan Ángel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/juan_angel) _family_ Juan Ángel is María's cousin, and they share a warm, familial relationship. ### [Juan Ángel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/juan_angel) _family_ Juan Ángel is María's cousin, and they share a warm, familial relationship. ### [Carlos Martinez Silva](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/carlos_martinez_silva) _social_ Carlos knows María through Efraín and treats her with respect and friendliness, but they are not close. ### [Emma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/emma) _family_ Emma is María's cousin and close friend, treating her like a sister and supporting her relationship with Efraín. ## In the story ### [María](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/mar-a) Present in the household, her reunion with Efraín is a key moment, hinting at their deep connection. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/i) Quietly waits her turn to say goodbye, touching her blushing cheek to Efraín's. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/ii) Present at the reunion, her eyes hidden, blushing deeply as Efraín touches her waist. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/iii) Sits opposite Efraín, keeping her eyes hidden but occasionally letting them fall upon him. She decorates his room with flowers and offers to keep them for him. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/iv) Seen in the garden with Emma; her voice and beauty are highlighted; she reacts shyly when Efraín discovers her. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/v) Though not present in the chapter, her eyes are continually upon Efraín during preparations, and she is the object of his thoughts. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/vi) Pale and nervous, she wears the pink Efraín gave her and the coral cross; her quiet demeanor and trembling hand reveal her inner turmoil. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/vii) Arrives as a three-year-old child, later described at age nine with distinctive features and a melancholy voice. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/viii) Absent from dinner due to a headache, which Efraín suspects is caused by their quarrel. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/x) Present in the sewing-room, greets Efraín but avoids his gaze, and her removal of the flowers from his vase triggers his misunderstanding. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xi) Wears a lily in her hair as a sign of reconciliation; accepts Efraín's love. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xii) Shows intelligence and charm during lessons; her hand trembles when Efraín touches it, revealing her affection. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xiii) Suffers a severe epileptic attack, lies unconscious, and upon waking recognizes Efraín, expressing her fear of the illness. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xiv) Suffers a severe attack, prompting Efraín's urgent journey. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xv) Recovering from her attack; reveals she overheard her parents discussing her mother's disease and her own fears. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xvi) Suffering in silence due to Efraín's conduct; her illness is clarified by the doctor as not being the same as Sara's. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xvii) Gathers flowers and gives Efraín a pink, showing a mix of tenderness and shame. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xix) Brings Efraín coffee, helps pick up cartridges, and forgives him after their quarrel. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxi) Present at the dinner, she is reassured by Efraín's mother about his safety. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxii) Sings Efraín's song, appears hurt when Efraín offers her seat to Carlos, and is described as pale and beautiful. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxiii) Takes the flowers to the oratory, receives the lilies, and expresses happiness about being chosen as Tránsito's bridesmaid. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xiv) Is told about Carlos's proposal and becomes distressed, but is reassured by her mother's words about Efraín's love. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxv) Intercedes for the deer's life and sends good wishes to Tránsito. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxvi) Discusses Carlos's proposal with Efraín, shows emotional vulnerability, and agrees to have Efraín nearby during Carlos's address. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxvii) Refuses Carlos's proposal and confesses to Efraín's father that she is pledged to another. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxviii) Waits for Efraín in the evening, asks about his conversation with Carlos, and shows concern for their friendship. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxix) Called in by Efraín's father to trim his hair; she is shy and timid in his presence, and her rose falls, which he returns. ### [XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxx) Shows signs of melancholy, which Efraín fears is a symptom of her disease. She gives Efraín a lock of her hair and comforts Juan. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxi) Packs provisions with care, shows affection by making tarts and requesting a lock of Efraín's hair. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxii) Mentioned in Efraín's thoughts as he imagines her sleeping peacefully, unaware of the troubles. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxiii) Waits for Efraín on a rock, shares her fear of a black bird, and expresses her longing during his absence. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxiv) Reveals her hope that Efraín's father's loss will keep him home; shows her affection and skill in riding. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxv) Devotedly cares for her father, warming his feet and helping him take medicine. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxvi) Shows visible distress upon hearing of Efraín's imminent departure, trembling as she serves tea. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxvii) Promises to marry Efraín upon his return, sets conditions for his cheerful departure and hard study. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xxxix) Shows her affectionate and playful nature, planting lilies and promising to send them in letters. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xl) Goes to the bath, later sews in the parlor, and teases Efraín about the Undines. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xli) Emotionally distressed about Efraín's departure, expresses her love and fears, and is frightened by a black bird. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xliv) María is visibly distressed about Efraín's upcoming departure, crying and expressing her fear of being left alone. She seeks comfort from Efraín and shows her vulnerability. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xlvi) Appears cheerful and has been busy ironing Efraín's shirts as a loving gesture; plans to spend the next day with him. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xlvii) Grieves in the oratory, fainting as Efraín leaves. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xlviii) Writes a heartfelt letter to Efraín, describing her daily life and longing for his return. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/xlix) Her letters grow increasingly sad; she writes a desperate plea for Efraín to return before she dies. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/l) Writes a letter to Efraín expressing her love and hope for his return. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/lvi) In her final days, she leaves farewell messages and gifts for Efraín, expressing her love and resignation to death. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/lviii) Appears in Efraín's dream as his wife; her letters and braids are tangible reminders of her. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/chapters/lix) Her grave is visited; her memory and gifts are cherished. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters/maria - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mar_a_se/characters