The Flies: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Flies: Analysis of Major Characters" offers an exploration of the diverse cast of characters navigating the tumultuous backdrop of political upheaval. Central to this narrative is General Malacara, a self-serving opportunist whose primary motivations are survival and realignment in the face of shifting political allegiances. He epitomizes the social parasites of the era, using his connections to protect himself while engaging in debauchery and manipulative behavior.
Marta Reyes-Téllez, a middle-aged widow, represents the morally flexible nature of those protected by political connections. Her children embody varying degrees of naivety and ambition; Matilde believes her societal status will shield her from danger, while younger sister Rosita uses her charms to navigate her reality, albeit without agency. The youngest sibling, Rubén, follows the directives of his mother and sister, revealing a gullible nature susceptible to authority.
Supporting characters like Quiñones, Dionacio Ríos, and Señor Rubalcaba further illuminate the complexities of power dynamics and the struggles of individuals caught in a collapsing system. Each character reflects on themes of opportunism, hypocrisy, and the quest for survival amidst chaos, making their stories poignant and relatable in a broader historical context.
The Flies: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Mariano Azuela
First published: Las moscas, 1918 (English translation, 1956)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Mexico
Plot: Historical realism
Time: Early twentieth century
General Malacara (mahl-ah-KAH-rah), the highest ranking individual among the throng of former federal officials fleeing the capital by train. Like the other refugees who share the hospital car, he is a social parasite and a self-serving opportunist whose loyalty evaporates when his political faction loses control. His only concerns are escape, survival, and realignment. Because he is the most promising link to the protection of Francisco Villa, once the train is under way, everyone courts his favor. He makes promises of help only in the hope of gaining some advantage, and he rarely delivers. He is a debauched libertine. In spite of the perilous circumstances, he initiates a drunken party and publicly cavorts with Cachucha and Manuela, women young enough to be his granddaughters.
Marta Reyes-Téllez (RREH-yehs-TEH-yehs), a strong-willed, essentially silly, middle-aged widow who knows how to take care of her family. Even though she has never worked, she understands better than do her employed children the moral flexibility and hypocrisy required to secure and protect a government job. She believes that she and her family, because of their social and political connections, are morally superior to virtually all others.
Matilde Reyes-Téllez (mah-TEEL-deh), the older daughter of Marta. She arrogantly but mistakenly assumes that her place in society and her self-professed artistic talent will guarantee both her safety and her future.
Rosita Reyes-Téllez (roh-SEE-tah), the younger daughter of Marta. She uses her charms to manipulate men, but she lacks a will of her own.
Rubén Reyes-Téllez (rew-BEHN), the youngest of Marta's children. He always follows his mother's orders and Matilde's lead. A manly but utterly gullible youth, he is attracted to those in powerful positions and allows their opinions to determine his behavior. His naïveté and simplistic machismo allow his mother and older sister to coerce him to remain in Irapuato, in spite of the extreme danger, to arrange the family's future with the new administration.
Quiñones (keen-YOHN-ehs), a friend of Rubén who understands even less than Rubén of the social rules by which those in power expect their underlings to abide. An arrogant brag-gart, he demonstrates his careless disregard for Villa's rules and for the well-being of others when he openly criticizes Villa knowing that some of Villa's soldiers can hear him.
Dionacio Ríos (dee-oh-NAH-see-oh RREE-ohs), a prosecuting attorney for Villa's government.
Señor Rubalcaba (rrew-bahl-KAH-bah), a corpulent federal schoolmaster. Like the novel's other displaced functionaries, he is utterly bereft of the will to act. More disposed to irony than to anger, he can only sigh with resignation when soldiers make off with his beloved companion, Miss Aurora of the fourth grade.
Don Sinforoso (seen-foh-ROH-soh), the blustery former mayor of Turicato. Until he learns that military men are in grave danger, he claims to be a colonel in the federal army.