Chapter 13, Trotsky and Chapter 14, A Painter in Her Own Right Summary and Analysis

After Rivera's affair with Cristina became public, Kahlo changed from an adoring bride to a more complex woman. Her relationship with Rivera and his women changed as well. Their new relationship was symbolized by the house in which they lived. When she was angry with him, she could simply lock the bridge that connected their upstairs. This forced him to talk with her maid downstairs, who would dismiss him away. Rivera generated, and freely spent, their income but Kahlo was the one in charge of the finances and bill paying. Some weeks, they would not have enough money due to Rivera's overspending.

By 1935, Kahlo forgave Cristina for the affair, although she would never totally forgive Rivera. In fact, Cristina's children came to represent...