38 pages • 1 hour read
Manuel PuigA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Molina is singing a song, when Valentin receives a letter from his girlfriend that explains that his comrade has been killed on behalf of the cause. He relays this information, written in code, to Molina. Valentin explains that his political group refuses to engage in intimate relationships, in case they have to sacrifice themselves. His first girlfriend, Marta, joined the cause with him, but later left it, and they separated. Valentin is thinking of her now, as he mourns the loss of his comrade.
Still sick from the food, Valentin evacuates himself, which Molina helps clean up. As he gets weaker, Valentin starts to open up to Molina, but in such pain, he decides to get the guard to let him out. Molina offers another sheet, preventing him from leaving the cell. Valentin gets diarrhea and Molina cleans it up.