Morality

In many ways, the narrative of the novel is defined by exploration of morality, and one relationship that is central to this exploration is the relationship between Simón and Davíd. Although he is not Davíd’s biological father, Simón feels responsible for Davíd’s protection, wellbeing, and moral education. From very early on in the novel, Simón and Davíd’s relationship is defined in highly didactic terms, with Simón often speaking to Davíd about moral and ethical issues. Simón relays such moral lessons as “If we do a bad deed, we get no joy out of it. Our conscience sees to that” (10) and “You should learn to judge people by their inner qualities” (48). In this way, Simón represents the main force of positive morality in the novel, and he seeks to exercise a positive moral...