What struck me with interest was the difference between the lawyer and the police. Both were in a position of power to influence the lives of people yet only one was concerned with the lives themselves. So what caused this difference? 

First, let us note that the defense lawyer, Miguel Prado, seemed to be the only character who empathized with the victims of the crime. He was the only one who did not delight himself in the amusement of the tragic case at any point, unlike Zozaya. Furthermore, Miguel was helping the family (Lupe and Juan) deal with their case when it was obvious that they would not have enough money to pay for his service, as they could not even afford to buy many more simple things. Meanwhile, the police with far more resources than Miguel, demonstrated a lack of care to provide the victims and suspect with a non-negligent level of work for their case; such is an abuse of power.

Hence, one can conclude that when authority is not submitted to the needs of the people in their jurisdiction, they will use the people to serve themselves. Miguel was the only character that was concerned with benefiting the family of the victim and his client; he was submitted to their needs. Ultimately, this small piece of literature can be interpreted as a commentary for the larger scale leadership of the country and government. Possibly that the government in Mexico in that era was mostly concerned with profiting themselves using what resources they had (such as the people) to the extent that the people themselves suffered as shown through the living circumstance of Lupe’s family. Only leads one to ask; when will they get it right.