ectively to represent the ideals of Eastern European society that were so dreaded in South America and how he contributes to the reader's understanding of cultural diversity within Eva Luna. Rolf is an agent of the upper class, well-educated males in Austria who were "born to beat" and dominate women. The male stereotypes are reinforced through Rolf as he looked upon his "inclination towards romanticism... as a sign of weakness." Rolf's function as a journalist and filmmaker is to supply the reader with different perspectives of the social, economic and political events in the fictive South American and world society. The importance of patrilineal ties is shown through Uncle Rupert's desire for a son much like the "strong, high charactered, red-haired" Rolf. Rolf predominantly represents the dominant cultures of society due to his agency as a European male from the upper class.
             Zulema Halabi is constructed in such a way that the reader feels little sympathy for her because of her treatment towards the compassionate Riad. Zulema is utilised to represent the traditional values practised in the developing world, compared to her upbringing in the third world country of Turkey. The beliefs and ideals of the Muslim faith are illustrated through Zulema and her rejection of these values once in South America. On her wedding night it is expected of her to be "frightened and trembling" before her husband, this tradition exposes how the female is subjugated to the man in sexual relations. Ironically,
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