Pepita, Jaime, Hortensia, and Felipe: A Story of Love and Resistance
Pepita
Pepita, a blue-eyed blonde from Cordoba, was initially called Pepa. She adopted the name Pepita after discovering that “La Pepa” was a prison, associating the former with a death sentence. As a child, she was the sister of Hortensia and always looked after Tensi. Jaime waited many years to marry her because he truly loved her. Twenty years after they met, they were finally able to wed.
She never wanted Jaime to join the Communist Party, believing it only brought him trouble. However, she actively participated, stressing that she did so only for Jaime. Pepita is a strong and courageous character, even though she doesn’t see herself that way. She lacks political consciousness and is often overwhelmed by events.
Pepita liaises with the guerrillas in Puerta Chiquita, where she meets Reme. She connects with women working in the Red Aid while her boyfriend, Paul, is in prison. This character, like many others, is inspired by a real person who lived in Cordoba. After seventeen years of visiting her boyfriend in prison in Burgos, she finally reunited with him.
Jaime
Jaime, previously known as Paulino Alcántara, is the “Black Jacket,” leader of a guerrilla group. He is Elvira’s brother and never forgave her for not leaving the port of Alicante, where she was caught. He loves Pepita deeply and often avoids contacting her to protect her. He repeatedly asked her if she was sure she wanted to wait, concerned she was wasting her youth.
He was caught and sentenced to thirty years in prison for being the Black Jacket, serving nineteen years until an amnesty following the Pope’s death. At the end of the novel, he runs with Pepita to Cordoba, carrying the Communist Party leadership in his pocket. This shows that despite all the suffering, he remains true to his principles and ideals.
Jaime is Pepita’s boyfriend and future husband. He is a charismatic young fighter who remains hidden in the mountains for years. Alongside Felipe and Elvira, he is released. Paulino is a young man who inspires tranquility and seems to have everything under control. His political conviction is strong, and he acts paternally towards Elvira, his sister. He is arguably the most charismatic character in the work. After adopting a new identity, he was exiled to France for some time. On his return to Spain, he is captured and imprisoned in the penitentiary of Burgos.
Hortensia
Hortensia was Philip’s wife and loved him very much. She had dark, curly hair pulled into two braids, brown eyes, and slightly separated teeth. She was imprisoned for collaborating with the guerrillas. Pregnant and sentenced to death, she managed, thanks to Josie, to postpone her execution until after her child was born. She was shot when the baby was a month and a half old.
Doña Celia washed her face, closed her eyes, and cut a piece of her dress to take to Pepita. Hortensia was brave and, despite being pregnant, actively fought for her ideals. Hortensia is introduced on the first page of the book as “the woman who was going to die.” Her character is based on a real woman who was pregnant when the war ended. After being sentenced to death, she waited for her daughter to be born before being shot. This story inspired the author to write the book.
Felipe
Felipe, previously known as Mateo Bejarano, loved Hortensia (whom he affectionately called “Tensi”) above all else. He deeply believed in his ideals. After returning from Toulouse, risking capture, he continued to fight from within the country alongside Jaime.
He died at the hands of the Civil Guard when they were surprised at the camp where they spent the night. Felipe is Hortensia’s husband. He and Paulino have been inseparable since they met at school. Both joined the guerrilla movement, and when they had to flee Spain, Felipe changed his identity to Mateo Bejarano. He ultimately died in the disaster at Peak Montero with “the Thrush.” Without Hortensia, this character’s story would have lacked its core meaning.