What is Martín?

Martín represents the unwillingness to face one’s own guilt by putting the blame on others. All throughout the novel, Martín finds everything he can to put the blame on other people. This is particularly true when dealing with his cousin Casiopea. He convinces himself that she is lesser than him because she is a woman, or because she was born to an Indian father, or even because she beats him at certain games. Over time, Martín comes to understand his faults, but it takes many failures and self-reflection to do so.