The Lean Lands: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Lean Lands: Analysis of Major Characters" examines the complex relationships and power dynamics within a family steeped in land ownership and legacy. Central to the narrative is Epifanio Trujillo, a domineering patriarch whose life revolves around material accumulation but ultimately leads to familial strife after his death. His son, Miguel Arcángel Trujillo, also known as Jacob Gallo, returns to the family estate after establishing his own fortune, aiming to implement progressive changes for the benefit of the local peasants. Contrastingly, his sister Plácida embodies a cold-hearted disposition, struggling with her circumstances while ultimately seeking redemption through service to others.
The narrative also highlights the treachery of Jesús Trujillo, who employs deceitful tactics in his quest for power and control over the family estate. In contrast, Felipe Trujillo, known as the Bully, manipulates the beliefs of the local peasants for personal gain. The character of Rómulo Garabito represents the disillusioned peasantry caught between tradition and the promise of progress, while his daughter Teófila serves as a symbol of innocence and the catalyst for significant change after her untimely death. Furthermore, the character of Matiana, a midwife with mystical abilities, plays a crucial role in mediating the struggles of the oppressed, ultimately leading to a collective uprising against the Trujillo family. Through these characters, the analysis delves into themes of power, morality, and the impact of legacy on community dynamics.
The Lean Lands: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Agustín Yáñez
First published: Las tierras flacas, 1962 (English translation, 1968)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Tierra Santo, in Jalisco, Mexico
Plot: Allegory
Time: The early 1920's
Epifanio Trujillo (eh-pee-FAH-nee-oh trew-HEE-yoh), an imperious landowner and patriarch, the father of approximately one hundred children by various mistresses. He has spent his life accumulating land, cattle, women, and children. Fat and lethargic in his old age, he comes under the complete domination of his daughter, Plácida. Because he failed to specify how his estate would be divided, he witnesses his heirs struggle among themselves for supremacy. His obsession with Teófila and his pursuit of her sewing machine leads to their destruction. After his death, his lands come under the control of the one son who had renounced his name, Jacob Gallo.
Miguel Arcángel Trujillo (mee-GEHL ahr-KAHN-hehl), also called Jacob Gallo (GAH-yoh), the son of Epifanio Trujillo and Sara Gallo. He married against his father's wishes, adopted his mother's name, and sought his fortune elsewhere. Returning to his father's domain as a wealthy landowner in his own right, he is determined to use his wealth and knowledge to bring progress to the lean lands. He wins the support of the peasants with proposals to dig new wells and provide fertilizers, better seed, and breeding animals. He outwits his half brothers and sister, acquires control of his father's estate, and becomes the new authority in the lean lands.
Plácida Trujillo (PLAH-see-dah), the daughter of Don Epifanio and mistress of his house. As prudish as her father was licentious, she is coldhearted and cruel. Jacob Gallo saves her from the fury of the mob that burned down her father's house. While in his custody, she repeatedly tries to commit suicide. In the end, she distributes her family's property to the peasants and becomes the servant and understudy of the good witch, Matiana.
Jesús Trujillo (heh-SEWS), also called the Sneak and Snake in the Grass, the son of Don Epifanio. He cloaks his evil intentions with fine manners and sweet talk. In the hope of winning his father's favor, he takes brutal measures to steal the deceased Teófila's sewing machine for Don Epifanio. He instigates the mutilation of Matiana, anticipating that it would result in the fall of Jacob Gallo and allow him to acquire complete control over his father's estate. Instead, the peasants rise up to destroy the Trujillos. Jesús escapes the mob's fury but is later apprehended by Jacob's men and brought to trial.
Felipe Trujillo (feh-LEE-peh), known as the Bully. His father, Don Epifanio, hoped that he would become the strong-man and defender of the Trujillo name and fortune. To prevent Jesús from winning his father's favor and gaining advantage over him in the struggle for the inheritance, Felipe seizes Teófila's sewing machine from Jesús. He takes advantage of the peasants'belief in its miraculous powers by charging them for praying before it. After Matiana is blinded by Jesús' hired thugs, the enraged peasants hang him and return Teófila's sewing machine to her parents.
Rómulo Garabito (ROH-mew-loh gahr-ah-BEE-toh), a poor and fatalistic peasant who is the grandson of Teódulo Garabito and the father of Teófila. He closely identifies himself with the land and yearns for his grandfather's time, when a true spirit of community reigned among the inhabitants of the lean lands. Don Epifanio gives him the choice of giving up his deceased daughter's sewing machine or surrendering his farm to pay off his debts. Rómulo is saved from this dilemma by Jacob Gallo, who presents Don Epifanio with a new sewing machine for his birthday. Although he finds himself loosely allied with the Gallos, he does not believe in progress and fears that the innovations introduced by Jacob Gallo will result in greater oppression.
Teófila Garabito (teh-OH-fee-lah), the saintly daughter of Rómulo. Beautiful, intelligent, and virtuous, she convinces her father that she could earn money for the family with a sewing machine. Don Epifanio is obsessed with her and hoped to marry her. When she dies of meningitis at the age of twenty, her parents are certain that God has rescued her from Don Epifanio. The destruction of the Trujillos through her sewing machine is considered to be her most important miracle.
Matiana (mah-tee-AH-nah), an old midwife with a reputation for being a witch. She assists at births, illnesses, deaths, and all other emergencies and provides herbal remedies, prayers, and spells. She serves as mediator between the peasants and the supernatural, using her mental powers to execute justice in favor of the weak. Her mutilation at the hands of Jesús' hired thugs precipitates the peasant uprising that destroys the power of the Trujillos.