Hispanic America
The stimulus for Fausto’s desire for a guitar is hearing the band Los Lobos. The obstruction to Fausto getting the money to buy a guitar is related to economic depravity associated with sub-standard conditions associated with his cultural status. The exact same story could be transferred to another culture remain essentially intact thematically and narratively, but the ethnic background details make the story person and, for non-Hispanic Americans, a little strangely foreign and unfamiliar despite the plot mechanics being practically universal for those below a certain economic strata in America.
The American Dream vs. Conscience
Fausto can be said to merely be pursuing the American Dream in his efforts to attain that guitar. And his tactics to soak more money from the dog’s owner is hardly illegal and barely even unethical. The ethical gap is enough to cause profound anxiety in Fausto, however. One thing can be said to be absolutely certain: Fausto will not grow up to become a CEO or Wall Street stockbroker or corporate attorney or own a string of car dealership or any of a thousand other manifestations of attaining the American Dream that makes his collision with conscience seem almost like an act of selfless charity in comparison. The story touches upon what is taken to be a necessity for success in America: always be closing and let the splintered chips of morality fall where they may.
Goodness is Rewarded
The guilty conscience nagging away at Fausto eventually drives him to seek forgiveness and redemption for his sin. Expiation is accomplished through sacrifice and in the end the Fates seemingly to decide to visit up him benevolence of a truly karmic proportion. From out of nowhere, the story ends upon almost magic deus ex machina that confirms that Fausto made the right decision to relieve himself of his emotional quandary and moral struggle.
