A Tragic Night in Auria: The Story of Cibrán
Abstract
A Esmorga recounts the tragic demise of individuals marginalized by society after a night of excessive drinking.
Chapter I: A Confession in Court
The first chapter introduces Cibrán, who is testifying in court about the events of a fateful night he spent with his two friends, Milhomem and Bocas. He speaks only in response to the judge's questions, following a predetermined script. Cibrán repeatedly mentions his "thinking," which represents his remorse and regret for the night of revelry.
Cibrán describes himself as a humble, lower-class man who recently reconciled with his wife and wants to rebuild his life and become a responsible and respectable man. He recounts how, on a very rainy day, he encountered Bocas and Milhomem, two of his drunken friends. Milhomem, also known as "Maricallas" or "Setesaias," worked as a tailor and had a very mocking and sometimes rough demeanor, which often led to conflicts. Bocas, the leader of the trio, is a large, strong man, and therefore, usually wins the fights. His brutality is a recurring theme throughout the story.
When Cibrán sees them, they convince him to join them on their spree. They spend the entire day in the underbelly of the city of Auria, in Ourense, getting drunk and wandering through various places, drinking without ceasing.
Chapter II: An Unfortunate Turn
After wandering from bar to bar in Auria, Milhomem has the idea of going to a building where a relative works. The relative invites them to stay in the cellar, where they continue to drink. Inadvertently, they set fire to the palace and flee.
Chapter III: The Alluring Andradas
In one of their adventures, after leaving a tavern, they decide to go to the palace of the Andradas. They want to see a very beautiful woman, as everyone who lives there says, but few people have seen her. They pass through a hole in the garden and can see her in the gallery. One of them, Bocas, claims to be her boyfriend.
Chapter IV: Turned Away
Since they still have some money, they decide to go to the brothels. However, the first one throws them out, accusing Bocas of being a murderer, claiming he left a man dead the previous night. The second one also throws them out, so they decide to return to the bars.
They begin to consider escaping Auria the following morning on a train and decide to take advantage of their last hours in a bar. However, a man warns them that the Civil Guard suspects they are leaving and will be waiting for them at the station.
Chapter V: A Fatal Obsession
Bocas insists on staying with the woman he had seen that morning. They decide to return to the Andradas' house and enter, where Milhomem and Bocas steal some jewels. They become enraged when they discover that the woman is a doll. Bocas, infuriated, says he would like to be with a woman who is not a prostitute.
To satisfy his stubbornness, they go to the dump in Auria, home to a woman named Socorrito. They say she is crazy and wants to have many children, but only with men who smell good. Bocas forces her to be with him. When Milhomem and Cibrán hear the woman's cries, they go to help her. Milhomem tries to help her and takes out a knife. When Cibrán tries to stop him, Bocas kills Milhomem with a stab wound and then injures Cibrán. Milhomem, attempting to escape, falls into a frozen pond and drowns.
After regaining consciousness, Cibrán is taken into custody. When he finishes his testimony, the judge orders him to return to the holding cell. However, in desperation, Cibrán takes the knife that had served as evidence and stabs himself. Cibrán died after declaring before the judge, although the author lets us know that it was not clearly known how he died, as he also mentioned the bullying Cibrán was subjected to by the gendarmerie.
Personal Comment
I believe this book accurately reflects the reality of the time it portrays, especially in the marginalized areas of the city of Auria. This is evident in the descriptions of the characters and the ambiguous ending, leaving the protagonist Cibrán's death somewhat unclear.