Author Question: What other action does Espinosa perform that earns the Gutres gratitude? What will be an ideal ... (Read 84 times)

joblessjake · **on:** Jul 20, 2018

What other action does Espinosa perform that earns the Gutres gratitude?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Reread the last paragraph. Why is it ironic that the Gutres ask Espinosa'sblessing and the daughter weeps?

What will be an ideal response?

akpaschal · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Espinosa helps treat the Gutre girls injured pet lamb. (Borgess choice of that symbolic animal is surely not coincidental.) The family seem to consider his intercession miraculous, although Espinosa does not understand their reaction. There is a consistently ironic gap between what he notices in their behavior and what their actions really signify. It is a good exercise to have students list as many ironic episodes or situations as possible.

Answer to Question 2

The irony is that the three people asking his blessing are about to murder him. The weeping girl is both one of his assassins and a Mary (or, perhaps more appropriately, a Mary Magdalene) figure crying at the crucifixion.