Reimagining Power in Extremadura
A recent article published by Pressenza examines the enduring relevance of Miguel Delibes's novel "The Holy Innocents" and its screen adaptation by Mario Camus. The publication argues that the narrative's depiction of power dynamics remains applicable to the twenty-first century, suggesting that the mechanisms of control have evolved rather than disappeared.
The article, titled "The Holy Innocents of the 21st Century," posits that the character of Señorito Iván no longer necessarily carries a shotgun or wears hunting boots. Instead, the text suggests he may wear a suit, discuss efficiency, sign dismissal notices, buy silence, and describe modernization as what was previously termed obedience.
According to the Pressenza report, the irony of the current era is that language has shifted so significantly that injustice now appears new, elegant, and inevitable. The publication notes that Delibes required neither armies, palaces, nor grand speeches to illustrate the abuse of power. Instead, he utilized an estate in Extremadura, a poor family, young aristocratic masters, and shotguns.
The Hierarchy of Knowledge and Authority
The Pressenza article describes the setting of Delibes's work as a system where poverty appears hereditary and obedience is embedded in the landscape. The narrative focuses on Paco el Bajo, his wife Régula, their children, and Azarías, who live on an estate under a strict hierarchy.
In this structure, decision-making belongs to the owner, while knowledge belongs to the servant. The article highlights that Paco knows the countryside better than his master, yet the authority remains with the landowner. Señorito Iván possesses land, social standing, and authority, requiring him to raise his voice only occasionally because the system speaks for him.
The publication details the character of Azarías, identified as Régula's brother and a man with an intellectual disability. The text describes him as deeply attached to animals and nature, making him particularly defenseless against the world of the landowners. His vulnerability is further emphasized through his attachment to a bird he calls his "milana." Despite being asked not to shoot it, Señorito Iván shoots the bird, an act the article interprets as aiming at the dignity of a man considered subordinate.
Human Beings as Part of the Hunt
The Pressenza outlet reports that in Delibes's narrative, birds fall during hunting expeditions while landowners and their guests shoot for pleasure. However, the article asserts that the real hunt extends beyond the sky to include human beings living on the estate.
According to the text, these individuals live as though they were born to serve, obey, remain silent, and pick up whatever others leave behind. The publication characterizes this dynamic as a distribution of power where the landowners and their guests maintain control through both physical force and social standing.