Pedro Paramo was written in 1955 in Mexico, a deeply Catholic country. The influence of this Catholicism, along with Juan Rulfo’s disillusionment with the politics of the church, is evident throughout his novella. Through Pedro Paramo, Juan Rulfo criticises the opportunistic nature of the church, portraying the greed of the church elites and their willingness to sell salvation to cater to their own desires while also portraying the elites as an extension of God, thus implicating Him in their selfishness.
Rulfo portrays Father Renteria as a representation of the church. However, Father Renteria is depicted as corrupt and greedy, and during his conversation with the priest from the neighboring town, we learn that his “parishioners are still believers” only through “superstition and fear”(Rulfo 71). The townspeople’s fear stems from the belief that if they do not appease God they will be stuck in purgatory forever, a notion that is proven true when everyone who does not get a proper burial haunts the town. Their fear of purgatory makes them vulnerable to Father Renteria’s manipulation. Despite being aware of their economic struggles, Father Renteria uses his influence to take money from the townspeople in funerals and tithes until they “don’t have anything left”(13). Even though it costs him nothing “to grant pardon”(31) he demands payment in exchange for his blessings. Although initially, he refuses to bless Miguel, when Pedro Paramo gives him a “handful of gold coins”(26) Father Renteria forgives the man who raped his niece and murdered his brother. In contrast, when Maria Dyada comes to beg for salvation for Eduviges, …show more content…
Despite this it criticises religion heavily, portraying it as an extension of greed. It emphasizes the corruption of the church and the projection of these sins onto God. Regardless of its cynical nature the book also validates religion and reestablishes its authority as the only way to avoid
Rulfo portrays Father Renteria as a representation of the church. However, Father Renteria is depicted as corrupt and greedy, and during his conversation with the priest from the neighboring town, we learn that his “parishioners are still believers” only through “superstition and fear”(Rulfo 71). The townspeople’s fear stems from the belief that if they do not appease God they will be stuck in purgatory forever, a notion that is proven true when everyone who does not get a proper burial haunts the town. Their fear of purgatory makes them vulnerable to Father Renteria’s manipulation. Despite being aware of their economic struggles, Father Renteria uses his influence to take money from the townspeople in funerals and tithes until they “don’t have anything left”(13). Even though it costs him nothing “to grant pardon”(31) he demands payment in exchange for his blessings. Although initially, he refuses to bless Miguel, when Pedro Paramo gives him a “handful of gold coins”(26) Father Renteria forgives the man who raped his niece and murdered his brother. In contrast, when Maria Dyada comes to beg for salvation for Eduviges, …show more content…
Despite this it criticises religion heavily, portraying it as an extension of greed. It emphasizes the corruption of the church and the projection of these sins onto God. Regardless of its cynical nature the book also validates religion and reestablishes its authority as the only way to avoid