What is Pendulum?

A pendulum made from glass is created and given to Cristobal by his mother after the death of his father. The pendulum is used over maps to find the locations of people, places, and things that are needed. The pendulum is seen as voodoo nonsense by the General’s soldiers, one of whom beats Cristobal for having a pendulum. The soldier attempts to crush the pendulum, but is unable to do so. The soldier’s attempt to smash the pendulum can be seen as symbolic of the crushing effect of the revolution, but the pendulum, like the good people of Chile, is unable to be smashed apart. The people of Chile and the pendulum both endure. Cristobal later uses the pendulum to help track down Papa with Celeste.