Pa Negre Essay

Homage to Catalonia, Pa negre, and In Diamond Square use the Spanish Civil War to display the various yet detrimental impacts that it has on the characters; however, not all of them take the role of the war to the same extent and include the same impacts. The effects of the war on the civilians are apparent in Pa negre and In Diamond Square, but Homage to Catalonia follows the story of a soldier fighting on the front lines. Pa negre and In Diamond Square chronicle the war as a backdrop to the main story line. And, they both exhibit similar effects and impacts. However, Agusti Villaronga, screenplay writer of Pa negre, chose to chronicle the after effects, and Merce Rodoreda, author of In Diamond Square, chronicles the immediate effects of the war because it takes place
Natalia is unable to gain work because she “was a red” and “a person like [her could] get us in trouble” (Rodoreda, 143). Her husband’s association with the opposition caused her to lose the opportunity to provide for her family after his death. In Pa negre, Andreu’s father’s, Farriol’s, association caused his family just as much trouble. Farriol was in opposition to Franco during the war, which caused him to be a main suspect of a murder. And after he is persecuted and later executed, his association was a contributor to his death. Farriol’s association caused his family to be ripped apart and Andreu fatherless. Both stories explore how being on the wrong side can derail life and destroy families. However, in Pa negre, Villaronga also provides insight into what was appropriate for Fascist society post-war. Gay people were put into camps, and others were told the camps were for ‘sick’ people. It showed the lengths that Franco would go to keep society the way that he preferred. However, Villaronga does not show any of the physical