In Juan Rulfo’s short story ‘Talpa’ the Virgin of the Shrine at Talpa is a religious symbol meant to heal the sick and other problems. Nevertheless, much of the story revolves around the sins committed by the narrator and his brother’s wife as well as the negative side of religion.
Arguably, the author’s relationship with his brother’s wife, the secret actions between the two and the religious pretence and hypocrisy at the Shrine represent the rot in the society and religion.
The scenes of the journey provide evidence that the religious aspect of the sacred shrine play an important role in the lives of the Mexicans. Nevertheless, the religious involvements of the people are questionable.
While the reader expects the narrator to emphasize on the concern he had for the wellbeing of Tanilo, he reveals that their intention, though hidden in their minds, was to oversee the death of Tanilo. In addition, the reader would expect the narrator to provide a larger coverage of the scenes at the Shrine, the miracles of the Virgin and evidence of her work.
Therefore, it is worth noting that the story is less religious and more of the illicit relationship between the narrator and Natalia. For example, the narrator had a long relationship with Natalia, but his brother’s presence made it difficult.
For instance, during the journey to Talpa, the two would leave Tanilo sleeping lonely next to a wood fire and “… take shelter in the… countryside, away from Tanilo’s eyes…” Here, they would make love. “…Natalie would thrust her body not my arms…” (Ruflo 56).
In fact, this is a story about sin, evil and the opposite of religion. The narrator introduces the audience to Natalia’s hypocrisy in the first paragraph. Natalia had not been mourning for her husband’s illness and death. For instance, the narrator says “but during those days when we had a lot of things to do….she did not cry” (Ruflo 53).
On return to Zezontla after burying Tanilo in Talpa, Natalia started crying when she saw her mother. “She had bottle it up for many days… until she saw her mother… and felt she needed consolation”.
In addition, on their way back from Talpa, Natalia “…did not shed a single tear” (Ruflo 54). In fact, this is an indication that she was pretending to mourn, yet she was glad Tanilo had died, giving her freedom to form intimate relationship with the narrator.
It is also clear that the narrator and Natalia pretended to help Tanilo reach Talpa, yet they were interested in facilitating a quick and untimely death. The author makes it clear that he and Natalia were guilty of Tanilo’s death.
He says, “…we wanted him to die…even before we left Zenzotla…” He also says “…what had happened is that between the two of us… we killed Tanilo Santos… we forced him to walk so he would die” (Ruflo 54)
It is worth noting that the sacred elements in the story are relatively few, if any. For instance, the descriptions of the Virgin as a sacred object are missing. The narrator only says that “…with smile on her face”, (Ruflo 60) yet people like Tanilo were dying in front of her.
The priest, rather than caring for the sick, was making people worship the Virgin and dying in front of her. The drums, dancing, hornpipes and other aspects of music represent scared objects, yet they make no meaning as far as the healing of the sick is concerned.
In addition, Tanilo’s death is untimely and perpetrated by several forces. While it is evident that Natalia and the narrator contributed to Tanilo’s demise, the lies and religious hypocrisy surrounding the shrine caused his death.
For example, on arriving at the Shrine, Tanilo wrapped himself in cactus leaves and bandages before forcing himself to dance for the Virgin. He thumped his swollen legs hardly on the rough floor, causing excessive blood loss and death. This is religious hypocrisy portrayed by the priest.
Works Cited
Ruflo, Juan. The Burning Plain and other Stories. University of Texas, 1953. print