Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry
"Under the Volcano" by Malcolm Lowry is a novel set against the backdrop of Quauhnahuac, Mexico, on the Day of the Dead, November 2, 1939. The narrative follows Jacques Laruelle, a French film producer, as he reflects on the tragic life of Geoffrey Firmin, a former British consul who was murdered the previous year. The story unfolds through Laruelle's memories, revealing the complex relationships among Geoffrey, his estranged wife Yvonne, and his half-brother Hugh.
As Geoffrey struggles with his demons and a descent into alcoholism, the novel explores themes of love, betrayal, and existential despair. A pivotal moment includes the trio's ill-fated journey to Tomalín, which spirals into chaos as Geoffrey's inner turmoil manifests in violent confrontations and reckless decisions. The narrative is rich with symbolism, particularly the imagery of a looming volcano that represents Geoffrey's impending doom. Ultimately, the novel captures a tragic interplay of fate, personal choices, and the consequences of inaction, culminating in a harrowing conclusion that intertwines life, death, and the Mexican cultural landscape.
Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry
First published: 1947
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Psychological realism
Time of plot: November 1, 1939
Locale: Quauhnahuac (Cuernavaca), Mexico
Principal Characters
Geoffrey Firmin , the British consul at QuauhnahuacYvonne Constable , his former wifeHugh Firmin , his half brotherJacques Laruelle , a French film directorDr. Arturo Díaz Vigil , Geoffrey Firmin’s doctor
The Story
On November 2, 1939, the Mexican Day of the Dead, Jacques Laruelle, a French film producer, is ready to leave Quauhnahuac, Mexico. Before leaving, Laruelle joins his friend Dr. Vigil, and the two talk about their common acquaintance, Geoffrey Firmin, former British consul to Quauhnahuac, who was murdered exactly one year earlier.
After his visit with Dr. Vigil, Laruelle walks toward the Casino de Silva and recalls that day a year before. His recollections lead Laruelle to remember the time he spent with Geoffrey and his half brother, Hugh, at the Taskersons’s home when all three were youngsters. One memory moves to another, and the story of Geoffrey and Hugh’s childhood is told.
Laruelle stops at the Cervecería XX, where he chats with Señor Bustamente, owner of the bar and neighboring cinema. Bustamente tells Laruelle that he suspects that the dead consul might have been a spy, or “spider.” At the end of their conversation, Bustamente gives Laruelle the copy of Elizabethan plays that Laruelle borrowed from Geoffrey. Laruelle intended to create a French version of the Faustus story. As he thumbs through the book, Laruelle finds a letter that Geoffrey wrote to his estranged wife, Yvonne, attempting to talk her into returning to him. Geoffrey never mailed the letter. When Laruelle leaves the bar, he walks up the Calle Nicaragua and remembers the day when Geoffrey was murdered and Yvonne was trampled to death by a horse.
On the morning of the 1938 Day of the Dead, Geoffrey did not sleep and sat in the cantina drinking. Unexpectedly, Yvonne, the consul’s former wife, appeared. She left Quauhnahuac the year before for the United States, where she secured a divorce from Geoffrey. Almost as unexpected was the return of the consul’s half brother and Yvonne’s lover, Hugh. Hugh returned because he felt that he could not stay away without suffering the pains of guilt that Yvonne suffered.
After their reunion, Geoffrey, Yvonne, and Hugh left on a trip to Tomalín. Their trip was interrupted when they stopped by the home of Laruelle. Laruelle was one of Yvonne’s former lovers, and the stopover caused much distress for Geoffrey because of Yvonne and Hugh’s new closeness. Geoffrey drank several tequilas. Hugh and Yvonne went to a fiesta.
When the consul awakened from his drunken sleep, he was addressed by two beings. An evil angel urged him to drink rather than think of Yvonne. At the same time, a good angel made threats about his drinking. This was the first connection between Geoffrey and the Faustus story that Laruelle proposed. The evil angel won when Geoffrey turned to drink because he felt that he could not successfully perform his duties as a husband.
When Hugh and Yvonne returned from the fiesta, Hugh joked that perhaps his brother was a black magician. Hugh acted as a deterrent to any chances of Yvonne and Geoffrey ever getting back together. Hugh took Yvonne for a horseback ride. On the ride, Hugh identified himself with Judas because he felt that he betrayed his brother. When Hugh and Yvonne returned, they found Geoffrey awake, and the three continued their journey.
The trip to Tomalín was interrupted when the travelers noticed a wounded Indian. Mexican law and possible repercussions influenced the group not to make an effort to assist the wounded man. Geoffrey saw a fellow traveler rob the dying man. Geoffrey and Hugh argued about the rationality of not helping the man. None of the three travelers was decisive. Hugh and Yvonne were indecisive because of the law, and Geoffrey was indecisive because he was more concerned about finding the next cantina for a drink.
The travelers stopped and went to the Salon Ofelia for a drink. In the salon, Geoffrey’s feelings erupted into a storm of violent words thrown at Yvonne and Hugh, accusing them of crimes against marriage and against brotherhood. Geoffrey drank mescal, which he earlier associated with his demise. While drinking the mescal, Geoffrey remembered a similar time when he drank all night and was supposed to meet a lady, Lee Maitland, who failed to arrive. To his surprise, he could not remember exactly who this lady was. Geoffrey was losing control of his perception of reality.
Geoffrey saw his doom symbolized in the nearby volcano. He showed himself to be a Faustian character by broadcasting that he loved hell and could not wait to return there. He then rushed out of the Salon Ofelia as if in pain. Yvonne and Hugh rushed after him and tried to catch up with him. Although Geoffrey had damned them for their adultery, Yvonne and Hugh knew that they had to get him back to Quauhnahuac. They took the wrong path.
As they pursued Geoffrey, Hugh and Yvonne visited several cantinas, looking for him. At each cantina they had a drink before going on. They eventually found themselves wandering around in the forest. As they wandered around, they heard a distant shot, not knowing that it was the sound of Geoffrey’s execution by Mexican officials. Drunk, Yvonne tripped and fell over a log, and she was trampled by a horse that escaped from Geoffrey. Hugh wandered through the woods singing a revolutionary song and accompanying himself on a guitar.
As he lay dying, Geoffrey imagined that he heard Laruelle and Dr. Vigil back in Quauhnahuac trying to comfort the grieving Yvonne and Hugh. When his hallucination was complete, Geoffrey screamed and died. Someone threw a dead dog into the ravine with the dead Englishman.
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