Caray, Caray!

In bidding farewell to Pola and Alejo, Nariño asks Alejo to reconsider his decision. But, he tells Tonito, Alejo has been educated his entire life to think the way he does. Nariño also asks Pola to try to convince Alejo to change his mind.

Alejo’s relationship with Pola also reflects the political and social conflict he faces. He believes his wife should yield to his opinions and that she should not work if he is to be the breadwinner. If a man cannot support his family, he says, he is not much of a man.

On the contrary Pola is trying to reconcile her beliefs and upbringing with Alejo’s. She wants to work and be involved in the political process, and she doesn’t know if she can be married to a man who remains with arms crossed while other men fight for their country and land.

This land is not ours, says Alejo. It belongs to the king. You can say ugly things when you want, he tells her. He is still going to make the trip and convince his father to give them permission to marry. Pola gives in to him.

Alejo’s conflict with his father is even more paradoxical. Francisco is determined to marry him off to María Ignacia. Francisco, once amusing, is turning out to be the most venal, evil, unscrupulous and perhaps desperate character. He is the incarnation of the thorn that sticks in the side of the Americans. He will sell his own child, wife, or other person’s property for his personal satisfaction. He looks upon anyone not in his social rank with disdain. He is what this revolution is all about.

No conflict can shake the love between Nariño and Magda. She convinces the household to hide her illness. They forgive each other for all transgressions. She tries to persuade him to continue the fight. He wants to stay at her side and make up for all the lost years.

As Alejo prepares to make the trip to Popayan, he tells Pola he will only be gone a few days. He will leave early in the morning (la madrugada). She thinks he may be wasting his time. Do you have so little confidence in me, he asks.

Later, Francisco rides up to the posada and is greeted by Pola. He thinks he recognizes her and says, all mestizos, like negros, look alike. He tells her the room she shows him is a pigsty (remember the same words out of the mouth of the vireina).

Nariño pays the wannabe intellectuals without the creative capacity to envision a government beyond the tip of their noses, aka the junta, a visit. They are in a conundrum because they want a revolution without change.

Nariño wants his property back. Nariño is a painful reminder to them that things must change and that they will have to yield to the will of the people. They fear him.

By chance, Francisco and Alejo meet. Francisco is taken aback by Leandro’s denial of his own father, but he quickly recovers his superior attitude by announcing to Alejo that Gaspar has reconsidered and will now permit him to marry María Ignacia.

What makes you think I would do that, asks Alejo. I will not give my permission for you to marry the mestiza. I expected that, says Alejo. He then tells Francisco that he will denounce him for lying and not turning the dowry over to him. Gaspar will know he is a thief who has stolen from his own son.

This gets Francisco’s attention. He wants Alejo to bring Pola to him immediately. No, says Alejo, we will have a proper lunch. You will see what a wonderful person she is and that she will be the perfect wife for me. Pola is strong and loyal to her family and country.

Alejo is confident that once Francisco sees all of Pola’s virtues, he will give Alejo permission to marry her. Pola is not so sure, but she enlists the help of Cata and Gertrudis to prepare this defining meal that they are to have with Francisco.

Labels: LaPola