The Valley: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Valley: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the lives and complexities of several key figures within a community in Belken County. The narrative centers around Rafa Buenrostro, an introspective and self-assured young man preparing to leave for university, who thoughtfully observes the people around him. Jehú Malacara, an orphan raised by cousins after losing his parents, finds solace and purpose in the circus life through his connection with don Víctor, a former revolutionary who retreats to Belken County after personal tragedy. Other significant characters include don Manuel Guzmán, a spirited former revolutionary with deep ties to his Mexican heritage, and Baldemar Cordero, whose impulsive actions lead to grave consequences in a barroom fight. Gilberto Casteñeda, Baldemar's loyal friend, grapples with the memory of a tragic event while also facing his own orphaned past. The narrative also features Chedes Briones and her husband Juan, as well as Panchita, whose folk medicine practices highlight the cultural elements of the community. Together, these characters reflect a tapestry of resilience, loss, and the quest for identity in a changing world.
The Valley: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Rolando Hinojosa
First published: The Valley (1983; revised from Estampas del valle y otras obras/ Sketches of the Valley and Other Works, 1973)
Genre: Novel
Locale: The Texas-Mexico border
Plot: Social realism
Time: The 1920's to the 1970's
Rafa Buenrostro (RRAH-fah bwehn-ROH-stroh), whose name means “goodface,” the autobiographical narrator in many of the sketches. Rafa is a self-assured young man who has served in the military and soon will go to the University of Texas at Austin. He was born and reared in Belken County, but having been exposed to some of the world outside it, he realizes the need to make a break from its confines. He understands the people of the area, observing them carefully and presenting them with considerable objectivity. He usually reserves his judgments about others.
Jehú Malacara (heh-HEW mahl-ah-KAHR-ah), whose name means “badface,” an orphan who comes of age. Jehú's parents die before he reaches puberty, so he is reared with his Briones cousins. Through Vicky Briones, he is introduced to the life of the circus. He becomes don Víctor's helper in transporting circus props from place to place.
Don Víctor (VEEK-tohr), a former revolutionary. As a lieutenant colonel in the Mexican armed forces, he married a Mexican Jew, Lía Samaniego, by whom he had a son, Saúl. After an epidemic of Spanish influenza claims the pregnant Lía and their son, don Víctor retires from the military and eventually makes his way to Belken County. There, he is connected with the circus, andJehúgoestoworkwithhim.
Don Manuel Guzmán (mahn-WHEHL gews-MAHN), a former revolutionary who knew Pancho Villa and Álvaro Obregon. Don Manuel can trace his U.S. citizenship through his family to 1845, when a new boundary was drawn between the United States and Mexico. Despite his citizenship, don Manuel is thoroughly Mexican. Later in life, he owns three dry-cleaning establishments and part of a bakery. He is a free spirit who was once a bronco buster. He dies suddenly in his mid-forties, from a stroke that hits him when he is in the middle of telling a joke.
Baldemar (Balde) Cordero (bahl-deh-MAHR BAHL-deh kohr-DEH-roh), Gilberto's brother-in-law and friend. Balde kills Ernesto Tamez in a brawl over one of the hostesses of a local bar. He is tried, found guilty, and sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Drunk when he committed this rash act, he cannot remember what he did but has to pay the price for having done it.
Gilberto (Beto) Casteñeda (heel-BEHR-toh BEH-toh kahs-tahn-YEH-dah), the friend and brother-in-law of Baldemar Cordero. Beto is present when Balde fatally stabs Ernesto Tamez. Called on to give a deposition that details his recollection of the barroom stabbing, Beto tells the truth, although he never forsakes his friend. Beto is orphaned early, when his parents are killed with twenty others riding in a farm truck that is struck by a train. He knows the fields well and works hard in them. He dies at the age of thirty, leaving Marta Cordero as a widow.
Chedes Briones (CHEH-dehs bree-OH-nehs), Jehú Malacara's aunt, who helps to rear Jehú. Distressed when her daughter Vicky joins the circus, she is soon soothed by getting free tickets to its performances.
Juan Briones (hwahn), Chedes' husband, a stoic who, when he learns that his children have left home, drinks another beer and orders another dozen oysters.
Panchita (pahn-CHEE-tah), Rafa Buenrostro's aunt, who practices folk medicine and incantations to treat those who are ill, including Rafa.