This reading definitely made me feel like a detective, every time I was trying to deduce who was the real murderer of Rosa, first the husband, then the wife, the neighbors, Rosa’s boyfriend, and until the end when I realized it was the policeman, it was surprising but at the same time, it left me with the thought that it has a back story.
I was at the edge trying to figure out why would someone kill Rosa, it never crossed my mind that the murderer would be the one that should be looking out for the killer.
It had the typical figures in a detective short story, multiple diversions of who the killer really is (the husband disappearing, the wife taking more time than normal in their errands, a jealous boyfriend, etc.), tons of clues laid out, a surprise ending. (A different point of view in comparison to Borges style).
But there is one particular aspect I want to focus on, which is that the author uses this story to allude to the ongoing corruption in Mexico. In a fair and normal place, the police are the ones you go to when you need help, it’s their job to care for your wellbeing, in Mexico it’s the other way around, why would you ask someone for help when they are the first ones to commit and cover-up those crimes. Not only does the author leave us with this exciting story with an unexpected ending, but she also infers that a policeman has the power to get away with everything even murder.
Hi Cristina! I agree with you, especially with your comment on corruption in Mexico. I think Bermúdez’ piece also speaks to the political and social issues of when it was written. The story was published around the 1960s, at the same time when Mexico is undergoing “la Guerra Sucia,” with State violations becoming rampant. And we must not forget, the police are a tool of repression to the State. Hence, we can assume Bermúdez is alluding to this growing abuse of power in the era she is writing in. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz and the Tlatelolco Massacre, the events which defined la Guerra Sucia, and also one of the most clear abuses of police and State power in Mexican history, were taking place when she wrote the story. Which leads me to believe perhaps it is a critique of political repression and abuse, although not an explicit one, due to the tensions of the era which could have put her at danger.
Hi Cristina, you make a good point about how the police officer being the culprit alludes to corruption in Mexico. I think this also speaks to Bermúdez’s political commentary on the existing power structures of the time and how the themes she brings up are still relevant today. Just because the police are supposed to “protect and serve,” doesn’t absolve them of enforcing power imbalances and systems of oppression. They are considered “law enforcement” for a reason, and history has told us that not all laws are just and fair. Additionally, too often the police can cause the most damage to under privileged groups, like Lupe’s family. People of lower classes are often targets of police abuse because the police can easily get away with it and have some level of protection from the state, whereas poorer people are left defenceless in comparison. I’m glad in the end they are able to figure out who the culprit was in order to bring justice to the victim’s family.
Hi Cristina! Great thought-provoking post! I also found myself guessing along and trying to figure out who had done the murder, and more importantly why. I found Borges attempted to instil that thought pattern in the reader through the way he organized the mystery. He was able to achieve this effect through the dialogue between the characters. The quick back and forth between Zozaya and Miguel makes your brain jump from one conclusion to another just as fast as they do. Plus, it has the added bonus of creating suspense as the answer is unveiled.