Essay Questions

How does Juan Gabriel Vásquez demonstrate a catastrophe of trust in the book Informer?

Gabriel the son is the main character in the story and he is looking forward to finding the truth. In most cases, parents especially fathers act as role models to their sons. However, Gabriel Sr. is outrageous, egotistical and very enigmatic. As a father, he should motivate his son to achieve his dreams but instead, after reviewing his son's book, he criticizes it and says that it is unwarranted. Gabriel Jr. gets discouraged but comforts himself that nothing can stop him from chasing his dreams of becoming a renowned author. Therefore, is evident that there is a catastrophe of trust in the story because the son fails to understand who he can trust if he cannot trust his father.

Which two characters play an essential role in helping the author build the theme of ethical concession?

Gabriel Jr.'s father and the physical therapist are the two major characters that play an important role in building the theme of ethical concession. The father has lived a secretive life knowing very well that he has been a government stoolpigeon. He is also aware of his immoral life but he managed to keep it to himself for many years. However, when he goes to the hospital to get operated, he starts to fall for the female physical therapist. After the surgery and recovery, the two falls in love and secretly move in together. Gabriel's father confessed to the therapist that he has always been the government informant. He confesses all his sins and secrets to the woman. It is however ironic that he makes up his mind to confess to the woman instead of going to the priest or any other religious leader. When he finally dies, the woman he entrusts with his secrets starts telling everyone about the late man's sins. The news spread until they reach the government authorities. Therefore, it is evident that there is an ethical compromise in the story because of two specific reasons. Firstly, Gabriel's father is cheating on his wife. He only confesses to the woman who is cheating with instead of his wife. Secondly, the woman he entrusts with his confessions becomes careless and tells everyone about them.

What does the secretive affair of Gabriel’s father and his mistress represent in the book The Informers?

Gabriel's father knows that he is not a clean man because he has many secrets and sins that he needs to confess. However, he feels that the confession should not be made to anybody except the person he trusts that won't let the cat out of the bag. He finds out that the best way of confessing his sins is by having a secretive affair. He starts an affair with a female physical therapist to whom he confesses his sins. Therefore, the secretive affair is used symbolically by the author to represent an avenue for confession. However, there is a moral compromise in this case because instead of opening up to the people who trust him, he decides to confess to his secret mistress.