Posted by mariela on March 22, 192003 at 14:02:54:
Juan Moreira is about the price of “love” (in its broad definition) – for one’s love, for one’s cause. It is also another example of how the law does not protect the weak, it corners them into a no win situation, and how it oppresses and may work against them. It does as it wishes and as a consequence it turns them into aggressive and unlawful beings.
In this ironic story of love and law we have a woman who does not give into another man’s imposed love to save the life of the man she loves and where a man seeks revenge to keep his honor, which seems to be destroyed, not by the law, but by the very woman we believe he loves. Was there nothing else these two could have done to make their love last? What is the struggle they endure really about? Could this possibly represent the division and kind of relationship shared between a country and its less developed country side? It think so. What about Sardeti? Is he used to comment on how the law behaves from outside influences?
It is a direct indication that Moreira’s “love” and honor will not survive when Moreira says “the curse of fate is always with you”. In other words his fate will be dreadful. His true intention is clear – to avenge - not for money or love, but for his honor (“I must finish like a man what is in my heart (alone).” A true patriot?
I’d like to discuss further:
The pampas air/breeze as a possible symbol of solidarity and as the only truth or God that may exist for these gauchos.
Why Don Francisco does not kill Juan when he had the perfect opportunity to do so.
The irony or comic aspect of the guitar player singing realities to Sardeti’s face and he not recognizing that they are directed to him!
Is Vicenta’s deception proof of “out of sight out of mind”, or proof that loyalties can shift? Who is she found with?