Comala in Pedro Páramo: Symbolism and Character Analysis
Comala: A Symbol of Despair and Purgatory in Pedro Páramo
In analyzing Juan Rulfo’s Pedro Páramo, it’s crucial to consider the significance of its setting, Comala. The name itself derives from “Comal,” meaning a clay pot placed over coals, symbolizing a suffocating atmosphere, a place on the precipice of hell or a purgatory where guilty souls are punished. Comala embodies the characteristics of many towns in Rulfo’s Mexico: despotism, despair, oppressive heat, and depopulation.
Three Versions of Comala
We can identify three distinct versions of Comala within the novel:
Comala as Paradise:
This is the Comala evoked by Dolores Preciado, a place she yearned to return to. Her longing and recollections, shared with her son Juan Preciado, create an illusion of belonging and meaning.Comala under Pedro Páramo:
This version is characterized by violence, injustice, degradation, alienation, madness, and despair. Its fate is intertwined with Pedro Páramo’s, condemned to solitude and destruction.Comala as Inferno:
This mythical Comala is populated by ghosts, doomed to relive their past or tortured by remorse. It’s a hellish desert where the dead wander.
Juan Preciado’s Journey and the Unraveling of Comala
Juan Preciado arrives in Comala to fulfill a promise to his deceased mother, seeking his father, Pedro Páramo, to claim what is rightfully his. He initially holds an idealized image of Comala, fueled by his mother’s stories. However, he encounters a desolate, lifeless town, a stark contrast to his expectations.
Juan’s interactions with the inhabitants, including Abundio Martinez and Eduviges Dyada, reveal the town’s ghostly nature. He begins to hear rumors and witness the spectral presence of Comala’s past.
Pedro Páramo: A Life of Ambition and Obsession
The narrative shifts to Pedro Páramo’s youth, revealing his rebellious nature and ambition. His love for Susana San Juan becomes a driving force in his life, shaping his decisions and ultimately leading to Comala’s decline.
Pedro’s determination to rise above his circumstances is evident in his rejection of his father’s submissive ways. He becomes a skilled telegrapher and, upon his father’s death, takes control of the family’s properties. He marries Dolores Preciado for her wealth and status, but his true desire remains fixed on Susana.
The Cycle of Violence and Tragedy
The novel interweaves various stories of Comala’s inhabitants, revealing a cycle of violence and tragedy. The death of Miguel Páramo, Pedro’s illegitimate son, exposes the consequences of his actions and the deep-seated resentment within the community.
Father Renteria’s struggle with forgiveness highlights the moral decay that permeates Comala. He grapples with the weight of Miguel’s sins and the corrupting influence of Pedro Páramo’s power.
Juan Preciado’s Fate and the Dissolution of Comala
Juan Preciado’s journey culminates in his own demise, as he succumbs to the oppressive atmosphere and the realization that he is surrounded by the dead. His soul joins the chorus of lost souls, each burdened by their past.
Susana San Juan’s return to Comala, driven to madness by her husband’s death, further underscores the town’s descent into despair. Pedro Páramo’s obsession with her consumes him, but he ultimately fails to possess her heart.
With Susana’s death, Pedro Páramo loses his will to live, and Comala’s fate is sealed. He allows the town to decay, mirroring his own emotional and physical decline. The intrusion of the revolutionaries offers a glimmer of hope, but even this is manipulated by Pedro Páramo for his own purposes.
Abundio’s Act of Violence and the End of Pedro Páramo
The novel concludes with Abundio Martinez, driven to desperation by his wife’s death, killing Pedro Páramo. This act of violence marks the final chapter in Comala’s tragic history, leaving the town to fade into oblivion.
Pedro Páramo stands as a powerful exploration of the human condition, exploring themes of love, loss, guilt, and the destructive nature of power. Comala, as a symbolic landscape, reflects the inner turmoil of its inhabitants and the consequences of their choices.