The Five Wounds

Content Warning: The source text and this section of the guide discuss substance misuse, addiction, and domestic violence.

As Amadeo is one of the novel’s protagonists, much of the narration is from his point of view. He is Angel’s father and Yolanda’s son, although initially he does not take either relationship seriously and is characterized mostly by his selfishness and immaturity. However, Amadeo’s redemptive journey is one of the novel’s primary narrative arcs, following how he grows and changes throughout the course of the story.

Initially, Amadeo perceives his need for growth through the lens of faith and religiosity, and the narrative suggests that, as Amadeo believes, his redemption will come through faith and his participation in Catholic religious rites. However, both his preparatory work leading up to his role as Jesus in the Passion Play and his performance itself emphasizes his characteristic selfishness. Throughout, he is much more concerned with his community’s perception of him than with the actual religious experience. During the procession itself, he wishes that his daughter were not present, and this moment strikes at the core of his immaturity: Catholicism instructs the individual to care for their family in a Christ-like way.