Brother Ass: Analysis of Major Characters
"Brother Ass: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the complex relationships and moral struggles within a Franciscan monastery in rural Chile, centered around the lives of its main characters. Fray Lázaro, a novice formerly named Mario, grapples with his faith and desires after becoming infatuated with María Mercedes, the younger sister of his former girlfriend. Despite seven years in the monastery, he questions whether his vocation is genuine, feeling unsatisfied and stagnant in his religious life. The character of Fray Rufino presents a stark contrast; revered for his saintly reputation, he masks deep-seated flaws and ultimately succumbs to a moment of weakness that leads to a violent act against María Mercedes, further complicating the narrative. María Mercedes herself is portrayed as innocent and curious, her interest in Fray Lázaro igniting a spiritual crisis within him. The dynamics between these characters highlight themes of desire, guilt, and the struggle for redemption within the confines of religious life. The Provincial, as the authority figure, embodies the conflict between personal morality and institutional reputation, compelling Fray Lázaro to bear the blame for Fray Rufino’s actions. This analysis offers insight into the interplay of faith, desire, and the consequences of actions in a tightly-knit community.
Brother Ass: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Eduardo Barrios
First published: El hermano asno, 1922 (English translation, 1942)
Genre: Novel
Locale: A rural town in Chile
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: Twentieth century
Fray Lázaro (LAH-sah-roh), a novice in a Franciscan order in rural Chile. His name in the outside world was Mario. He chose to enter a Franciscan monastery after he was rejected by his girlfriend, Gracia. Although he has spent seven years at the monastery, he hesitates to take life vows as a friar because he worries that his vocation may not be authentic. He believes that he is wasting his youth and his potential (he enjoys writing), and the religious life is not giving him strong personal satisfaction. His daily routine of teaching and work in the monastery's fields is boring and unrewarding. When he meets María Mercedes, Gracia's younger sister, he finds relief from the tedium of his life. Every day, he feels more eager to see her. Fray Lázaro begins to suffer a severe religious crisis when he realizes that he is in love with the innocent woman. Although he struggles against physical attraction to María Mercedes, he recognizes sexual desire in his love for her. His internal debate is interrupted by Fray Rufino's attempt to rape María Mercedes. Fray Lázaro assumes all guilt for the violent act, and the order transfers him to another monastery.
Fray Rufino (rew-FEE-noh), a Franciscan friar, old and feeble. Fray Rufino's reputation as a saint has spread throughout the town, causing people to seek his company and counsel. His miracles include his ability to communicate with animals, his power to cure dying animals, and his restoration of the sight of a blind woman. In order to maintain humility, Fray Rufino takes on a heavy work load, adding to his own chores at the monastery the most menial tasks of his fellow friars. He also punishes his body by flagellation and by other physical ordeals, such as crawling on the stone floors of the church while carrying a heavy wooden cross. During a conversation with Fray Lázaro, Fray Rufino confesses that he is visited by the ghost of a former Franciscan monk. The apparition, Fray Rufino claims, reminds him of his human imperfections and of the animal desires that control his behavior. In a neurotic crisis, Fray Rufino attempts sexual abuse of María Mercedes, who is at the monastery seeking his advice. Fray Rufino blames the apparition of the Franciscan monk for this terrible action, claiming that it was the ghost's idea, not his.
María Mercedes, a young woman living in the small town near the Franciscan monastery. Upon moving to the town and finding out that Fray Lázaro, an old boyfriend of her sister, is a novice in the Franciscan monastery, María Mercedes starts visiting him. She remembers Mario as a man full of life, and she is truly interested in knowing the reasons he chose a religious life. María Mercedes' innocent questions provoke a spiritual crisis in Fray Lázaro. Eventually, María Mercedes falls in love with him. Desperate when her family forbids her visits to the monastery, María Mercedes asks Fray Lázaro to arrange an appointment for her to ask Fray Rufino's advice. It is during that visit that Fray Rufino sexually attacks María Mercedes. Although the young woman tells her family that the attacker is Fray Rufino, they are convinced by the religious administrators that Fray Lázaro is responsible for the assault.
Gracia, a married woman, María Mercedes' older sister. After rejecting young Mario's romantic approaches, Gracia married a musician with an established local reputation. She attempts to stop María Mercedes from seeing Fray Lázaro, and it probably is she who starts the rumors of romance between them.
The Provincial, the superior who directs the monastery. He protects the monastery's reputation by forcing Fray Lázaro to accept the blame for Fray Rufino's attack on María Mercedes.