Images of Death and Violence
The novel is replete with the images of death and violence. Even it begins with the description a dead body. The narrator says, “It was a hot Sunday morning when we discovered the severed head of Enrique Quintanilla propped on the ledge of one of the cement planters in the plaza.” The protagonist of the novel loses his parents and close friends and he describes that since his childhood he had been facing evil attitudes. Boli’s description of the condition of his town also presents images of cruelty and violence. He says, “Please do something about our little town because we’re all sad and scared. Can’t you see us crying?” He utters these words at the funeral of his dog. He was brutally murdered by someone and Boli prays to God to save his town. The other characters who died were also violently killed. Some were cut into pieces while others were hanged in grotesque fashion.
Images of Corruption
Boli’s parents do not return from their trip to Tulca. He tries to find them, and in this regard, he contacts police and church. After contacting them he realizes the prevailing corruption in his society. The police treat him with indifference because the law enforcers were paid by the cartel. The church does not help him in finding his answers and Father Gregorio does not pay attention to Boli’s queries. The father of Catholic church wears expensive watch which depicts that he also takes money from the cartel. The changed appearance of the church portrays the corrupt side of religious institutions. The cartel murders his friends and after watching all the evils which were existing in his town, Boli decides to leave the town. He says, “I'm going to become a luchador. The best ever. El Diablo Rojo” just because he wants to save his society from this canker of corruption.
Images of Childhood
The protagonist of the novel portrays the images of childhood through his narration his childhood events. He plays along with his friends in the streets. The most frequent game which they used to play was Devil’s Fire. They used to play with a marble stone, bet on the winners and used to believe that the stone carries unusual powers. Mosca wins the stone but after his death it is handed on to Boli by Chinaco. It portrays the innocence of childhood. Boli vows to provide justice by looking at the same marble stone.
