List of Characters

Urania Cabral

Role Identification

Urania Cabral serves as the protagonist in "The Feast of the Goat." Her story unfolds as she returns to the Dominican Republic after many years of living abroad.

Character Descriptions

Urania Cabral is depicted as a strong, independent woman who has achieved success in her career, despite the trauma she experienced in her youth. She is determined to confront the ghosts of her past during her visit to her homeland.

Character Traits

Urania is intelligent, resilient, and driven. She exhibits a fierce determination to confront the demons from her past while navigating the complex political landscape of the Dominican Republic.

Character Background

Urania Cabral is the daughter of a high-ranking official in the Trujillo regime. Her past is marked by the abuse and trauma she suffered under the authoritarian rule of Rafael Trujillo. After leaving the Dominican Republic, she built a successful career as a lawyer in the United States.

Character Arcs

Urania's character arc revolves around her journey to confront the traumatic events of her past and find closure. As she revisits the Dominican Republic, she grapples with the legacy of the Trujillo regime and its impact on her life.

Relationships

Urania's relationships are characterized by the emotional complexities rooted in her past. Her interactions with family members and former acquaintances reveal the deep-seated scars left by the oppressive regime.

Rafael Trujillo

Role Identification

Rafael Trujillo serves as the primary antagonist in "The Feast of the Goat." As the dictator of the Dominican Republic, he wields absolute power and instills fear in the populace.

Character Descriptions

Trujillo is portrayed as a ruthless and authoritarian leader who maintains control through fear and manipulation. His character embodies the oppressive nature of his regime, eliciting both dread and revulsion.

Character Traits

Trujillo exhibits traits of megalomania, cruelty, and paranoia. His insatiable thirst for power drives him to commit heinous acts in the pursuit of maintaining his iron grip on the nation.

Character Background

Trujillo's rise to power is marked by his cunning and brutality, as he eliminates all opposition and consolidates his authority. His reign is characterized by oppression, censorship, and the pervasive atmosphere of terror that permeates the Dominican Republic.

Character Arcs

Trujillo's character arc unfolds as his grip on power begins to falter, leading to a heightened sense of paranoia and desperation. The novel delves into the dictator's psyche as he faces the looming threat to his regime.

Relationships

Trujillo's relationships are defined by fear and subservience, as those around him navigate the treacherous terrain of his volatile temperament. His interactions with his ministers and subordinates underscore the toxic dynamics of his dictatorship.

Agustin Cabral, Balaguer, Joaquin Balaguer, Trujillo's Ministers

Role Identification

Agustin Cabral, Balaguer, Joaquin Balaguer, and Trujillo's Ministers serve as supporting characters, each contributing to the intricate web of political intrigue and personal narratives in the novel.

Character Descriptions

These supporting characters exhibit varying degrees of allegiance, complicity, and conflict within the oppressive regime of Trujillo. Their roles shed light on the complex dynamics at play within the corridors of power.

Character Traits

The supporting characters display traits such as ambition, treachery, and survival instincts as they navigate the perilous landscape of Trujillo's dictatorship.

Character Background

Their backgrounds are intertwined with the political machinations and power struggles that define the oppressive regime. Their actions and decisions reflect the moral compromises and ethical dilemmas inherent in their positions of influence.

Character Arcs

The supporting characters' arcs unfold as they grapple with their allegiances, moral choices, and the consequences of their actions within the oppressive regime. Their trajectories intersect with the broader narrative of political upheaval and personal reckoning.

Relationships

Their relationships are marked by shifting alliances, betrayals, and the pervasive atmosphere of fear and suspicion that permeates the corridors of power under Trujillo's rule. Their interactions with each other and with the central characters illuminate the intricate web of loyalties and betrayals that shape the narrative.

In Mario Vargas Llosa's "The Feast of the Goat," the characters' interwoven stories offer a compelling exploration of the human experience within the oppressive backdrop of a dictatorship. As they navigate the complexities of power, trauma, and resilience, their journeys converge to depict the lasting impact of authoritarian rule on individuals and society.