The Weight of All Things

La Virgen, or the Blessed Virgin Mary, is arguably the most revered saint in the Catholic tradition. Mother of Jesus, she performed the miracle of immaculate conception and the birth of the son of God. She symbolizes protection and care, as a mother cares for her child, and the power of miracles. La Virgen is represented by Nicolás (he is named after her), the medallion he wears around his neck, and the small statue of her which Nicolás rescues from his bombed church. She becomes more than a symbolic figure to him as she begins to appear in his dreams and speak words of guidance to him. He witnesses a miracle when the statue comes to life inside his cave, emanating light from her hands and speaking directly to him. When Nicolás loses his birth mother, La Virgen becomes his spiritual mother, much as she is to Jesus. La Virgen accompanies Nicolás on his journey and protects him from harm, providing him with miracles and the hope he needs to persevere. Nicolás is compared to a lamb, which in biblical terms represents humanity (Jesus and his flock of sheep). Nicolás represents the innocent people of El Salvador in need of protection, while La Virgen manifests as the miraculous salvation they need in order to survive.