Dona Perfecta and Dona Barbara

way personify barbarism? And which is the more dangerous? Perfecta in her intolerance, religious bigotry, and selfsatisfaction of moral code, or BArbara in her uncontrolled barbarism, sadistic passion, and rampant nihilism? Both are averse to the encroachment of within their respective domains. That is, civilization as construed in each individual work. With Perfecta we call it aversion to liberalism, to progress, to change, whereas with Barbara we call it aversion to anything civilized that goes against her own grain of barbarism. Psychologically the great difference between the two women lies in the ultimate attitude of each towards her daughter and the man the latter loves. Perfecta certainly has no kind heart when, in the end, she does nothing to prevent or allay her daughter's insanity, nor when, concerning Pepe Rey, she shouts Crist6bal, Crist6bal... imfAtale!.1 Furthermore, that Perfecta has no qualms of conscience is seen in her misrepresentation of Rey's death when D. Cayetano, her brother-in-law, writes: Segdin me ha referido Perfecta esta mafiana.... Pepe Rey, A eso de las doce de la noche, penetr6 en la huerta de esta casa y se peg6 un tiro en la sien derecha, quedando muerto en el acto (p. 246). And can we believe her sincerity when, after all this tragedy, halla consuelo A su dolor en la religi6n y en los ejercicios del culto.... (p. 252). On the other hand BArbara's change of heart is complete and decisive when, upon lowering the gun pointed at her daughter's heart, she Se qued6 contemplando, largo

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