24 pages • 48 minutes read
Hernando TéllezLather and Nothing Else
Fiction | Short Story | YA | Published in 1950A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Character Analysis
The Barber
The barber is the protagonist of “Lather and Nothing Else.” He is a skilled professional who takes pride in his work and is known as one of the best in the town. He is meticulous and precise in his craft, and he considers his razor to be a symbol of his expertise and authority. He takes his responsibilities seriously, and he is hesitant to use his razor for anything other than its intended purpose.
At the same time, the barber is also a conflicted individual. He is torn between his desire for revenge against Torres and his commitment to professionalism and morality. He struggles with the implications of his decision, recognizing that killing the captain would make him no better than the man he seeks to punish.
Throughout the story, the barber’s thoughts and emotions are revealed through his internal monologue. He is a complex character who is grappling with his beliefs and values, trying to reconcile his desire for revenge with his commitment to personal integrity.
While the story is less than four pages long, Téllez’s use of first-person narration and inner monologue allows him to develop a rich characterization of the barber. He is a round character who balances political commitment, professional integrity, and a strong sense of basic decency. He finds himself in an intense moral dilemma that requires him to reveal his deepest character not only to the reader but to himself.
Ultimately, the barber decides not to kill Torres, but the story leaves open the possibility that he may regret his decision. The barber’s character is a testament to the power of conscience and the difficulty of making ethical choices in times of conflict. He embodies the tension between justice and mercy, and his struggle may resonate with readers who have faced similar dilemmas in their own lives.
Captain Torres
Captain Torres is in some ways the antagonist of the story, but he is a complex and multifaceted character. As the captain of a military unit in a small town, he is feared and respected by many, including the protagonist, the local barber. Throughout the story, Torres is portrayed as a man who is ruthless, calculating, and power-hungry, yet also capable of showing moments of vulnerability and introspection. He acts on behalf of an oppressive regime, but the story suggests that no individual can be reduced to their political or career identity.
On the surface, Torres is a brutal and intimidating figure who represents the government that the barber and his fellow townspeople are forced to live under. He is known for his violent tactics and his willingness to use force to maintain control, as evidenced by his brutal treatment of suspected rebels and his orders to execute them without trial. Torres is also aware of the fear he inspires in others and seems to take pleasure in it, as demonstrated by his taunting of the barber during their conversation.
Despite his intimidating demeanor, Torres is not a one-dimensional villain. He is portrayed as a human being with flaws and vulnerabilities. For instance, when he visits the barber’s shop for a shave, he is shown to be self-conscious about his appearance and concerned with his public image. Additionally, when the barber considers killing him, Torres is shown to be aware of the danger he is in and is visibly nervous and apprehensive. Because the story is written in the first person, readers do not have direct access to Torres’s inner life. Téllez develops his characterization through the careful description of his gun and belt, face, and beard.
In the end, Torres embodies both the oppressor and the oppressed. While he is a ruthless and intimidating figure, he is also portrayed as a human being capable of putting himself in vulnerable positions with those he knows oppose him and have the means to end his life. Ultimately, the tension between these two sides of his character adds depth and complexity to the story, making it a compelling exploration of power, violence, and human nature.
