El Señor Presidente: Analysis of Major Characters
"El Señor Presidente" is a novel that explores the dark realm of dictatorship through the lens of its major characters, creating a vivid portrayal of political intrigue and corruption. Central to the narrative is El Señor Presidente, a dictator whose tyrannical rule is characterized by manipulation, betrayal, and violence. Miguel Cara de Ángel, the handsome protagonist and favored aide to the dictator, experiences a profound transformation when he falls in love with Camila Canales, the innocent daughter of a general. Their romance is fraught with challenges, particularly as Miguel becomes embroiled in the treacherous machinations of the regime.
Camila, initially a victim of abduction, evolves into a key figure navigating the dangers posed by the dictator's schemes. Other characters, such as General Canales and Lucio Vásquez, represent the broader struggles against oppression, with their fates intricately connected to the political turbulence around them. Themes of love, loyalty, and the consequences of betrayal permeate the story, leading to tragic outcomes for many involved. Through its complex characters and their intertwined destinies, "El Señor Presidente" critiques the abuses of power and the personal toll of living under a corrupt regime, offering insights into the human condition amidst adversity.
El Señor Presidente: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Miguel Ángel Asturias
First published: 1946 (English translation, 1963)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Guatemala
Plot: Social
Time: Early twentieth century
El Señor Presidente (sehn-YOHR preh-see-DEHN-teh), a dictator partially modeled on Manuel Estrada Cabrera, a ruler of Guatemala during the author's lifetime. His government runs on webs of political intrigue and corruption involving rumors, rigged elections, spies, secret police, hired assassins, false imprisonment, and torture. Since childhood, he has enjoyed tormenting weaker beings. Now he takes brutal revenge on all those who oppose or hinder him, including his former associates. He initiates a plot to frame his rival, General Canales, for murder. He at first appears to accept the relationship between Miguel and Camila, but he steadily works against them in secret.
Miguel Cara de Ángel (mee-GEHL KAH-rah de AHNhehl), the handsome protagonist, called “as beautiful and as wicked as Satan,” who serves as aide and favorite adviser to the dictator. His character changes when he falls in love with and later marries Camila Canales, whom he had earlier kidnaped while engaged in the dictator's plot against her father. His efforts to protect her lead him deeper into conflict with the regime and into a web of deception that the dictator suspects and eventually unravels, causing disaster for the young couple. Arrested while supposedly leaving on a foreign mission for the government, Miguel is tricked, betrayed, tortured, and finally thrown into prison, where he eventually dies in anonymity and despair after hearing lies about his wife's involvement with the dictator.
Camila Canales (kah-MEE-lah kah-NAH-lehs), the innocent young daughter of an influential general. During a plot against her father, she is kidnaped by Cara de Ángel, who wants her for himself. He is charmed by her and comes to pity her situation. They soon fall in love and marry, despite obstacles. She is separated from her husband and relatives through the dictator's deceits. She and her son finally leave the city to live in seclusion in the countryside, believing that Miguel abandoned them after he supposedly goes abroad on a secret mission for the dictator.
General Eusebio Canales (eh-ew-SEH-bee-oh), an opponent of the dictator who is falsely accused of murder. He flees, learns of more abuses by the government, organizes a failed revolution, and finally dies of shock after hearing lies about his daughter's connections with his enemies.
Lucio Vâsquez (LEW-see-oh VAHS-kehs), a low-level employee of the secret police. His killing of Pelele, under orders, causes a series of events culminating in the downfall of Cara de Ángel. He is eventually imprisoned.
Genaro Rodas (heh-NAHR-oh RROH-dahs), a misguided friend of Vásquez who wants to join the secret police. He witnesses the killing of Pelele without understanding all of its implications. Beaten and imprisoned by the authorities, he agrees to spy against Cara de Ángel and is involved in his eventual arrest.
Fedina de Rodas (feh-DEE-nah), the wife of Genaro and a friend of Camila. Thought to know too much about the plot against General Canales, she is tortured by the authorities. After her baby dies of neglect, she is sold into prostitution anddriventomadness.
Pelele (peh-LEH-leh), meaning Zany or Idiot, one of several unfortunate beggars found around the cathedral early in the novel. His demented killing of one of the dictator's officers sets the plot into motion, as the dictator tries to blame the crime on General Canales. Pelele is aided by the unwitting Miguel but eventually is killed by Vásquez under the pretext that he is a public danger infected with rabies.
El Auditor General de Guerra (GEH-rrah), the Judge Advocate General, a military counselor, one of several powerful, brutal, and corrupt officials. He is successful in undermining Cara de Ángel, thus fulfilling his own political ambitions and gaining favor with the dictator.
Doña Chon (chohn), a brothel madam who knew the dictator in the old days. She bargains with the Judge Advocate General to buy Fedina de Rodas for her establishment.
Abel Carvajal (ah-BEHL kahr-vah-HAHL), a lawyer summarily executed for supposedly aiding General Canales. His wife tries desperately to save him but cannot.
Major Farfán (fahr-FAHN), a minor officer who is aided by Miguel but who eventually betrays and arrests him.