The Mayor. The endless promises of our politicians of peace and good governance sound so good, had all of them been fulfilled. In the story, the mayor reassured the people of a peaceful town, free of crime and violence. But once the peace he so wholeheartedly established was threatened, nothing could stop him from using his power and authority, even if it may jeopardize human rights and the lives of his men.
The priest. There’s a thin line between the church and the state. But what’s the society’s moral standards without someone to guide it? Father Angel did his best to keep the town’s morality intact, advising the mayor on what could have been done amidst the oppressing scandal. It’s not that the church is meddling with the affairs of the government. As clergymen, the priests are also part of the society and therefore have the right to raise their opinion regarding state matters.
The Asis Family. Money proves to be a very powerful ally. Being one of the most prominent families in town, the Asises gained immunity from the paralyzing curfew. The mayor specifically gave orders to his men about not messing with any of the Asises, as they patrol the streets.
Pepe Amador. During the darkest of times, when an anomaly strikes and the government already takes desperate measures to put it to an end, scapegoats come in. That is, for them to appear like they are doing something about the present situation. This became the role of Pepe Amador. As the boy was seen giving away some underground fliers, the authorities didn’t have a choice but to believe that this young man was responsible for all of the scandals floating around.
The barber and the dentist. They represent the oppositionists, who dare to speak against the government, mark its flaws, and criticize its errors. The signage in the barbershop that says Talking politics is not aloud, is an excellent portrayal of their views about the government.
The setting is just so relatable. The old Latin American way of life mirrors the Philippine setting. The afternoon siesta, the superstitions, the gossiping, even the shitty government. All the seemingly endless problems of the society, its poison and its disease were mentioned in the book, as well as the people’s survival in a country that has a tragic story. Beautifully written, this book is one of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s magnificent books.
