Chapter 5 Summary

This short chapter is narrated by Isabel's demon, Mammon. He depicts Isabel as an extreme example of deviltry. We are told that she is the most "merciless, ambitious, cruel and sublimely obedient of all the violators." The philosophy of demonology is that man must experience the most wicked to value goodness, the opposite of evil. In the words of Isabel's demon, "If a man is to value life in the universe, he must first learn to destroy it: to regain Paradise, he must first regain Hell." Mammon predicts that Azucena will be part of Isabel's destiny and it will bring them into contact with God.

Chapter 5 Analysis

There are many levels of conflict in this story. While it deals with Azucena's quest for her soul mate, the major conflict is between Azucena and Isabel. Even that conflict becomes twisted because of the shifts...