Hope and Dreams

In Rulfo's novel, hope and dreams drive the characters. Don Pedro makes Susana into his one hope. After she moves away, he puts all of his energy into bringing her back as his wife. She is distant and unattainable, and his desire for her drives him away from everything else in life, making him into a cruel and ruthless man.

Juan Preciado puts his hope into finding don Pedro, who was also the hope of Juan's mother, Dolores. Juan's quest after his hope leads him into purgatory and death, and he never leaves Comala. He sees only the aftermath don Pedro has left behind, and Juan never sees don Pedro's inner existence.

Hope is symbolized by the sky, and the things the characters hope for are like the sky, too far away to touch or attain. Hope seems to result in only pain and unfulfilled longing...