Okay, let me just say this up front:
There isn’t a single universe where Andrea’s family would win that.
For context, “Nada” is a coming-of-age novel written by Carmen Laforet about an orphan who moves to Barcelona post-Spanish Civil War in order to attend university. She moves into her formerly-wealthy-but-now-poor grandmother’s apartment with several relatives: her grandmother (a very faithful Catholic), Aunt Angustias (a strict aunt), Uncle Román (a former musician), Uncle Juan (who isn’t a successful painter), Juan’s wife Gloria (a beautiful young gambler), and their child (who wasn’t named if I recall correctly). In addition to this, there’s also a housekeeper and a dog who live with them all.
With so many people living together in a run-down apartment when times are just hard after the Spanish Civil War – it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that conflicts and drama constantly break out between them. Juan abuses his wife. Angustias constantly lectures Andrea and closely follows her footsteps. It’s a very happy family, you know? And that’s why it’s understandable when Andrea only finds solace when she’s away from them (especially when she befriends Ena and others from her university).
Yet, I’ve always found it peculiar that the concept of blood family is very important to society – even if the members are horrible individuals. Now, the idea of “family” can be defined in multiple ways. But the general defnition would be something along the lines of parents, siblings, and any others who are related by blood. As far as I know, this doesn’t always mean trust, love, or loyalty in a relationship. Blood may make someone a relative, but it doesn’t mean that they care in a way that’s best for you (for example, Angustias may want to mould Andrea into her own definition of an ideal citizen, but her methods are very discouraging and invasive). A family is not always what you think.
So what exactly is a family supposed to mean? I like to think that they’re the people who take care of you when everything goes wrong. Those who don’t judge or turn away, despite any differences in opinion or clashes in personality. Those who are willing to support you no matter what and help you out.
In a sense, I believe Andrea’s friendship with Ena has been more familial than her blood relatives. Ena did take care of her, invite her into her family and spend lots of time with her. Her friendship also did help her get opportunities for jobs, further education, and ultimately leave her life behind for Madrid.
How important is “family” to you and why? Do you think it’s something you’re born into, or something you choose?