Furia

Méndez weaves descriptions of Argentinian culture into the novel, highlighting religious and supernatural beliefs as prominent features of the culture. Méndez underscores Catholicism as the country’s prominent religion through Camila’s Catholic school and El Buen Pastor, the Catholic charity where she works as an English tutor. Even though Camila is not particularly devout, she seems to have a general belief in a higher power, as well as knowledge of the Catholic saints. Her recurring pleas to La Difunta Correa, “the patron saint of impossible things” (7), show that she’s willing to try anything to achieve her dreams. She knows the odds are against her, and she needs all the help she can get.

Along with the religious beliefs that pervade the culture, the novel’s characters also have superstitious beliefs. Camila’s mother thinks she’s bad luck for Pablo, so she doesn’t attend his games; Camila wears a red bracelet from Diego to bring her luck on the field; and when she wakes up during the night to the sound of her father’s angry voice, she calls it, “Witching hour, when demons come out to wreak havoc, babies’ fevers spike, and Death calls to collect her souls” (254).