Manhunt: Analysis of Major Characters
"Manhunt: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the complex dynamics and moral dilemmas faced by a diverse cast in a politically charged environment. Central to the narrative is an unnamed protagonist, a university student drawn into revolutionary activities amid the political upheaval of 1933 Havana. His journey reflects a struggle with ideology and guilt, particularly after he participates in the execution of a friend who has betrayed their cause. The character of Estrella, a young prostitute, serves as both a connection and a point of betrayal, highlighting the personal costs of political allegiance. The protagonist's former wet nurse embodies maternal concern and vulnerability, providing a stark contrast to the violence surrounding them. Other characters, including a fellow student and a policeman, further illustrate the treacherous landscape of loyalty and deception. Through the protagonist's experiences, the story delves into themes of faith, redemption, and the haunting consequences of betrayal, all set against a backdrop of revolutionary fervor. The interplay of these characters invites reflection on the complexities of human relationships in times of turmoil.
Manhunt: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Alejo Carpentier
First published: El acoso, 1956 (English translation, 1959)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Havana, Cuba
Plot: Psychological
Time: The 1930's
The unnamed protagonist, referred to mainly as the hunted, a university student and a member of a terrorist group. A boy imitating macho types, he comes from the province to turbulent Havana at the end of General Gerardo Machado's dictatorship (1933) to study architecture and the charms of the prostitute Estrella. He takes residence with his old wet nurse but soon gets swept away by the political turmoil. He joins the Communist Party but abandons it for “direct” action. He participates in the execution of his friend and role model, who has betrayed an important plan. Later, he sees the revolutionary terrorism degenerate into killings for a price, though justified by the same rhetoric. After a murder he has arranged, he is betrayed by Estrella and is arrested by the police. The hint of torture makes him betray his comrades. When he is released, he himself becomes hunted by the survivors. After rediscovering God, he wanders through Havana and remembers different episodes of his life. Thrown out of every possible shelter and fleeing from his pursuers, he ends up in the concert hall, where Beethoven's Eroica symphony is being performed, precisely the music he heard when he was in hiding with the wet nurse. In too much of a rush to wait for a ticket, he leaves the alleged false banknote with the ticket taker. During the performance, guided by the music, he reviews the key events of his life. After the performance, he tries to hide in the concert hall but is executed by his comrades the night of Easter Sunday.
Estrella (ehs-TREH-yah), a young prostitute (her name means “star” in Spanish), a “friend” of various characters of the novel. To avoid harassment, she betrays the protagonist to the police. When he returns to see her the night he is on the run, his confession shows her the awful consequences of her betrayal. She betrays him again when the taxi driver makes a fuss about the allegedly false banknote. When the ticket taker appears with the same bill, she gets irritated and throws him out.
An old black woman, the protagonist's former wet nurse. She tries to keep a motherly eye on the young student, but to no avail. She shelters him when he returns, hunted by his comrades, but falls ill and dies shortly thereafter.
The niece, who takes care of the old woman during her illness and fusses about the quantities of food she eats.
The ticket taker, a student of music working at the concert hall. For weeks, he has been preparing for the concert, listening to a recording of Eroica and reading books about the symphony. The banknote that the unknown “concert fan” gives him is too tempting, however, and he leaves for Estrella's arms. He finds her unexpectedly irritated, however, and is rejected because of the supposedly counterfeit bill. Infuriated with himself, he manages to return for the finale of the symphony. When the death is investigated by the police, he gives the bill to the policeman.
The traitor, another university student, a comrade of the protagonist and his macho model.
The scholarship holder, another university student and the protagonist's friend from the province. He introduces the protagonist to Estrella.
The policeman, who investigates the murder and keeps the banknote because there is nothing wrong with it.