The Holy Innocents: Rural Life, Class, and Nature in Delibes' Novel

Introduction to The Holy Innocents

The Holy Innocents completes a trilogy of rural narratives by Miguel Delibes, alongside The Road and The Rats. It is imbued with the love and emotional vehemence with which Delibes defends life in the countryside, a life free from contamination. Nature is depicted as a kind of Arcadia, threatened by progress. The action unfolds within this natural world.

It is said that the novel's landscape coincides with the Extremaduran countryside, where the flora and fauna are meticulously described. The rural men, resigned and content, live in perfect harmony with the earth. The farm owners, however, only visit for leisure or to oversee matters: Iván goes hunting with his influential friends, and the Marchioness and Miss Miriam provide their periodic alms or conclude the First Communion of Mr. Carlos Alberto.

For Azarías' family and the rest of the peasants, the countryside is their livelihood. Each is dedicated to their jobs, which, as seen in the table of characters, are as varied as they are laborious and offer little distinction. Nature is likened to the novel's humble characters. Azarías is equated with the life of animals: he feeds his birds, hunts, relieves himself in the open, and cares for his niece as an owl would. Paco, the Low, is like a dog with a keen sense of smell. The Girl (La Niña Chica) is less sensitive than animals; she feels but does not react, only emitting shrieks. The female characters of Azarías' family do not identify as much with nature because they perform their work in enclosed spaces, as is the case with Régula and Nieves, who are confined to housework. Nieves cannot study because Don Pedro, the expert, has decided she must serve in the house.

Character Analysis

Azarías

Azarías has three key characteristics:

1. He is innocent (mentally retarded), which determines many aspects of his behavior.
2. He is old.
3. He is a hyper-outcast, a person whom the owners maintain out of charity.

Physical Traits: extreme poverty, some animalization, filth, prone to excesses.

Character Traits: mechanical and instinctive behavior, ignorance, psychic disturbance.

The Milan (Bird)

The Milan represents a substantial part of Azarías' life and is the subject of his absolute dedication and care. For Azarías, the Milan is worth more than any human. In them, he finds the possibility of communication and appreciation that is absent in men.

Paco, the Low

What most highlights his behavior is his natural and resigned assumption of his rank as a servant. His dependence on his master is enormous. Nevertheless, he shows wisdom and foresight. He desires his children to achieve a better future than his own through education.

Mr. Iván

He exhibits contempt for nature and arrogant contempt for others. It is very difficult to find any trace of kindness in him. He accumulates all the vices and defects of a predator. His feudal mentality leads him to establish permanent relations of dependency with his servants. He has an authoritarian, insulting, and constantly contemptuous attitude, even towards his guests. He possesses an uncontrolled, cynical passion for hunting.

Régula

She embodies determination in the love of neighbor and a disposition for service.

The Girl (La Niña Chica)

One of the most accomplished characters, she is the most impressive image of degradation.

Quirce

He is a symbol of the comings and goings, and the humility of the poor.

Rogelio

He shows signs of contact with progress and feelings of affection for the needy.

The Marchioness

She offers apparent protection of the poor to demonstrate her social position.

Miss Miriam

A sign of social conscience among the affluent.

Don Pedro, the Expert

The oppressor is oppressed; he falls prey to jealousy and impotence.

Doña Purita

An example of frivolity. Her whims, gestures, and attitude toward her husband show that all she desires is wealth and a higher social status.