The Devil to Pay in the Backlands: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Devil to Pay in the Backlands" explores the complexities of its major characters against a backdrop of conflict and personal transformation within Brazil's jagunço culture. The protagonist, Riobaldo, reflects on his life as a gunman, marked significantly by his relationship with Diadorim, a girl living as a boy who is driven by vengeance after her father's murder. Their intertwined destinies propel Riobaldo's rise to power, culminating in a tragic confrontation with the villain Heremógenes, who is suspected of making a pact with the devil. Zé Bebelo, an aspiring political figure, embodies the struggle for order amid chaos but ultimately faces defeat and disillusionment. Meanwhile, Madeiro Vaz represents integrity and loyalty, rallying support after Joca Ramiro's revered leadership comes to an end. Joca Ramiro himself serves as a pivotal figure whose death triggers the unfolding of the narrative's central conflicts. Through these characters, the novel delves into themes of identity, morality, and the question of supernatural influence in human affairs.
The Devil to Pay in the Backlands: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: João Guimarães Rosa
First published: Grande Sertão: Veredas, 1956 (English translation, 1963)
Genre: Novel
Locale: The Brazilian backlands
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
Riobaldo (ree-oh-BAHL-doh), the narrator and protagonist. His life takes a major turn when, at the age of fourteen, he meets Diadorim, a girl who passes for a boy and who belongs to a family heavily involved in politically oriented armed movements in the backlands. After the death of his mother, he goes to live with his godfather, who teaches him the ways of the jagunço or gunman. He then enters the jagunço life. In his travels, Riobaldo again meets Diadorim and joins her band. With her support and the strength he acquires from a supposed encounter with the devil, he wins the leadership of the band and achieves victory over Heremógenes, the murderer of Diadorim's father, Joca Ramiro. As a wealthy old farmer, Riobaldo tells the story that is the novel as a way of discovering if he, in fact, sold his soul to the devil.
Diadorim (dee-ah-DOHR-eem), the daughter of Joca Ramiro. She lives her life as a man. She befriends Riobaldo and later becomes his faithful companion. After the murder of her father at the hands of Heremógenes, she becomes obsessed with taking revenge. Riobaldo's rise to leadership is the vehicle by which she is given the opportunity to realize her goal. During the last battle, she meets Heremógenes in hand-to-hand combat. Both die in a bloody scene. After her death, Riobaldo discovers that she is a woman.
Zé Bebelo (seh beh-BEH-loh), an outsider who seeks to bring law and order to the backlands. He also wants to become an elected official after his days as a jagunço leader. He fails in both of his attempts to achieve dominance. In the first, he is defeated by Joca Ramiro, and in the second, he is deposed by Riobaldo. He makes a third appearance at the end of the novel as a cattle buyer and entrepreneur.
Heremógenes (ehr-eh-MOH-hehn-ehs), the leader of a band under Joca Ramiro. He is there when Zé Bebelo is defeated and speaks against him at the trial. He becomes disgruntled when Joca Ramiro allows Zé Bebelo to go free. Heremógenes later murders Joca Ramiro. Many of the characters believe that his success as a leader comes from having made a pact with the devil. His physical appearance lends credence to that notion. His death leaves the lingering question of whether the devil really exists and whether he can have dominion over a person.
Madeiro Vaz (mah-DAY-roh vahs), a strong and committed leader with an impeccable reputation. The followers of Joca Ramiro rally to him after the death of Joca Ramiro. His commitment is so absolute that he burned his possessions before he departed to become a leader.
Joca Ramiro (HOH-kah rra-MEE-roh), the leader of the jagunço bands in the backlands. He is revered even during his life. His death sets the stage for the climax of the story.