Literary Character Profiles
Character Profiles: A Literary Analysis
The Inspector
The first thing that catches the attention is that his name is never revealed. He is a middle-aged man with gray hair, whose attire suggests a man more comfortable in his northern origins than his current setting. He is a man of high culture and intellect, with personal struggles, and until recently led a wild life, abusing snuff and alcohol, and frequently visiting brothels. Professionally, he is portrayed as conscientious and dedicated to police work. He carries the weight of the entire crime investigation with relentless dedication. At the end of the play, he reveals his humanity through the relationship established with a child victim.
The Murderer
He may be considered the antagonist of the inspector. His name is unknown. He is tormented and complex, with many frustrations, including the tiny size of his sexual organs, his helplessness, his lack of a prestigious office, and his humble origins. Physically, he is also characterized by his large hands, dirty and broken nails, and, above all, a pervasive smell of fish that he cannot shake, and which even permeates his clothes. Unable to relate to ‘normal’ girls, he seeks release by violently attacking or abusing prostitutes. In his role as a criminal, his narcissistic tendency is emphasized, leading him to confront dangerous situations.
Susan Grey
She is the teacher of the murdered girl, and her presence is important as she becomes the center of the novel’s romantic plot. She experiences dissatisfaction from a failed marriage with a man she was never happy with, having left everything behind in her native Madrid. Further frustration stems from her child’s decision to live with his father. Susan is a determined woman who courageously faces challenges and strives for happiness.
Father Orduña
An old Jesuit priest and the inspector’s former professor, Father Orduña serves to underline the contrast between the Francoist era and the new realities emerging from the transition period. Characterized as a ‘worker priest,’ he appears determined to combine Christianity with communism. He is a typical figure of the last years of the dictatorship.
Coroner Ferreras
He has two functions in the narrative. First, his presence provides detailed forensic data about the deaths and assaults on the girls. He appears as a careful and thorough professional in his work. Secondly, he helps us learn about Susan’s past as a newcomer to the city, as he was a friend of her husband until the latter left with his girlfriend. Ferreras is jovial, impulsive, and talkative.
The Inspector’s Wife
Her character helps to explain the inspector’s loneliness. It is suggested that in the past, they had problems and were not happy. This makes the inspector feel somehow responsible for her condition and unable to end their relationship. She is the main obstacle to the inspector finding happiness with Susana.
Fatima
The murdered girl, Fatima, is known to the inspector only after her death, through her teacher’s testimony and the photographs and videos found in her home. She comes from a poor family and stands out as the best student in her class at school. In the description of her abduction and murder, the reader helplessly witnesses a tragic fate from which she cannot escape.
Paula
The second girl attacked, Paula, miraculously survives the assault. She shows courage and, with the inspector’s help, is able to face her situation with fortitude. A close relationship is established with the inspector, revealing a more sensitive and loving side to him than previously seen. This sensitive and loving image is a new symptom of the change occurring in the inspector following his affair with Susan.