Doña Bárbara: Analysis of Major Characters
"Doña Bárbara" is a novel that explores the complex relationships and moral conflicts among its characters, primarily set against the backdrop of the Venezuelan plains. The titular character, Doña Bárbara, is a beautiful yet manipulative mestiza whose backstory involves being wronged by a white man, leading her to seek vengeance against men. She gains power by driving her former lover, Lorenzo Barquero, off his land and exploiting local authorities. The narrative also introduces Dr. Santos Luzardo, who aims to restore his family's ranch and end the feud between the Luzardos and Barqueros, ultimately falling in love with Marisela, the daughter of Doña Bárbara and Lorenzo.
Marisela herself is portrayed as a resilient young woman who yearns for love and stability despite her tumultuous upbringing. Other significant characters include Señora Luzardo, who struggles with family tragedies, and figures like William Danger, who exacerbates the conflicts. The story delves into themes of power, love, and redemption, culminating in a dramatic resolution where Doña Bárbara makes pivotal choices that redefine her legacy. Overall, the narrative presents a rich tapestry of human emotions and societal challenges within a historical and cultural context.
Doña Bárbara: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Rómulo Gallegos
First published: 1929 (English translation, 1931)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Arauca Valley, Venezuela
Plot: Regional
Time: Early twentieth century
Doña Bárbara (BAHR-bahr-ah), a beautiful but unscrupulous mestiza, once wronged by a white man and now taking her revenge on all men. She is superstitious and given to witchcraft. For a time she was the mistress of Lorenzo Barquero, heir to half the Altamira ranch, and by him had a daughter, Marisela. Then she ran him off his land and took possession. With the help of her cowboys, she is acquiring the rest of the ranch by moving the boundary fences and stealing the cattle. She has won over the local authorities. Unfortunately, she falls in love with Santos Luzardo, heir to the other half of the estate. When she goes soft, her followers desert her. Finally she rides to Altamira to shoot her daughter, whom she considers her rival, only to soften at the sight of Santos' display of affection for Marisela. She draws up papers leaving the Barquero land to Marisela and restoring what she has been stealing, then rides off, never to be heard of again.
Dr. Santos Luzardo (SAHN-tohs lew-SAHR-doh), a descendant of owners of the other half of the ranch. Taken to Caracas as a child, he studies law, then returns to his ancestral property in the wildest section of the Arauca River basin of Venezuela in order to get the land ready for sale. Seeing its deterioration under irresponsible overseers, he determines to restore the ranch to productivity. To end the long feud between the Luzardos and the Barqueros, he brings the dying Lorenzo Barquero and his daughter Marisela from their swamp cabin to live at the Altamira ranch house. From his knowledge of law, he is able to force the magistrate to call for a round-up to separate the cattle. He also sends some of his cowboys to collect heron feathers, from whose sale he will get money to repair his fences. They are murdered and the feathers stolen. When the local magistrate does nothing, Santos decides to follow the law of the jungle and match violence with violence. Hunting the feathers, on a tip from Bárbara, he finds the Wizard, her most trusted henchman, and leaves him dead.
Lorenzo Barquero (loh-REHN-soh bahr-KEH-roh), the weak-willed heir to half the Altamira ranch. Doña Bárbara becomes his mistress and gives him a daughter, Marisela. Tiring of him, Bárbara drives him off his land and begins to take over the ranch.
Marisela (mahr-ee-SEH-lah), a young girl, beautiful under her dirt, the daughter of Lorenzo Barquero. Her mother Bárbara abandons her, and her father sells her to William Danger for five bottles of whiskey. But Santos determines to civilize her. She falls so deeply in love with him that she is willing to challenge her mother's witchcraft in order to get him for herself. Finally they marry, and the two halves of the estate are reunited.
Señora Luzardo, the mother of Santos, whose life has been tragic. Not only has she seen the constant feuding between the two branches of the family, but her husband killed her oldest son in a quarrel and in remorse starved himself to death. She takes Santos back to the civilization of Caracas to study, but she cannot keep him there.
William Danger, a North American squatter who enjoys demoralizing Lorenzo Barquero by giving him liquor. He is compelled by Santos to build fences, since his herd is too small to run wild.
Antonio Sandoval (SAHN-doh-vahl), a cowboy faithful to Santos who helps him rebuild the ranch.
Balbino Paiba (bahl-BEE-noh PI-bah), the Luzardo overseer, whose love for Doña Bárbara makes him unfaithful to his employers. To make money, he steals feathers and kills Santos' cowboys. He is killed at Bárbara's orders when she tires of him and prefers Santos Luzardo.
Carmelito López (kahr-mehl-EE-toh LOH-pehs), one of Santos' cowboys, killed by Balbino.
Pajarote (pah-hah-ROH-teh), a cowboy who helps Santos.
Ambrosio (ahm-BROH-see-oh), a one-eyed cowboy musician.
Melquíades Gamarra (mehl-KEE-ah-dehs gah-mah-rrah), called The Wizard, Bárbara's trigger man.
Juan Primito (hwahn pree-MEE-toh), a demented cowboy who feeds the birds of ill omen and prophesies evil.
Ño Pernalete (nyoh PEHR-nah-leh-teh), the local magistrate, partial at first to Doña Bárbara, but compelled by Santos to administer justice.
Mujiquita (mew-hee-KEE-tah), the clerk of the court.