Heinrich Von Kleist's The Earthquake In Chile

An important symbol in Heinrich von Kleist’s ‘The Earthquake in Chile’ is the earthquake which took place in Santiago, Chile. The story revolves around three main characters. Jerónimo Rugera was a tutor in Don Enrique Asterón’s house. While being employed there he had fallen in love with Don Enrique Asterón’s daughter, Dona Josefa. Dona’s brother told their father about this and he dismissed Jerónimo from his house and sent Dona to the convent of Our Lady of the Mountain. The most probable reason for Don Enrique’s anger is that the relationship between the two was outside of the bonds of marriage. Jerónimo and Dona continued their relationship and it is then revealed that Dona is pregnant when she falls on the cathedral steps due to labour