Analyzing The Incestuous Relationship In 'Pedro Páramo'
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It is bizarre to imagine, what awaits us after death, whether our spirits are going to heaven, hell, or limbo and if judgment is the same to those that sin and those forced to sin. The novel Pedro Páramo, by Juan Rulfo transports me to the surreal ghost town in 1920’s named Comala during the Mexican Revolution; where ghostly characters Susana and Bartolomé San Juan seem to represent a sinful incestuous relationship. In Catholicism an incestuous relationship is a sin. This is important as in the novel, Bartolomé, a man who has power, dominates Susana, his daughter, who continues to suffer after her death for the incestuous relationship she was forced to carry with him. Others may suggest that Bartolomé was disciplining Susana; however; it is clear as he confronts…show more content… Bartolomé confronts Susana and tells her, “I’ve told him that although you’re a widow you are still living with your husband…I’ve tried to discourage him…(84).” This is interesting as Bartolomé was literally living with her after her husband died. When he says “—you are still living with your husband” it makes it clear that he is the current husband. In telling her about this old conversation he had with Pedro of trying to “discourage him (84).” He enforces his attempt to keep a stable incestuous relationship with Susana without having to deal with other men. Looking at this situation closely, one might relate this conversation as one a husband would have with his wife. In other words, Bartolomé is trying to bond with Susana like a husband does, when speaking to his wife about personal situations. Susana does not express affection towards Bartolomé, but rather a tone of fright. This situation also relates to the old couple that is in an incestuous relationship. However, the old couple shows affection and warmth in the way they communicate unlike Bartolomé’s jealousy and Susana’s uncomfortable