KEY LITERARY ELEMENTS 1 SETTING The Bridge of San Luis Rey is set in and around Lima, the capital of Peru, in the eighteenth century. It was a beautiful city, inspired by the Catholic religion and entertained by the theater. It was also peopled by eccentrics, like the intensely religious and superstitious Marquesa, the flirtatious Camila Perichole, the touchy Esteban, the snobbish Dona Clara, and the cunning Uncle Pio. The staunch Catholics, like the Abbess and …showed first 75 words of 1558 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1558 total…sing interest in life, he vacates his quarters and wanders around aimlessly. He even contemplates committing suicide. The Abbess who has raised him tries to console him, and Captain Alvarado persuades him to work in a ship going on a voyage to Russia. Esteban accepts the offer and heads to Lima, from where he will begin the journey with the Captain. As he walks over the Bridge at San Luis Rey, it breaks, killing Esteban.