2 ?b90

156
despite their demonismo. It is obvious that Alberto follows this pattern
exactly (1,233-6). Such an explanation of Alberto's character leaves
vast areas of mystery surrounding him, although Lezama 's comments descri-
be accurately the human being from whom he was developed, and may explain
his place in the average Cuban family. In the extraordinary world of
the Cemis and Olayas, the forty year old bachelor has acquired great sta-
ture. His deeds are already being overlaid with a gloss of glamorous
myth. He is a survivor of those hazy times, "alld en Jacksonville" (1,
61); he makes himself known to Josd Eugenio before anyone else in the
family; he enjoys a certain notoriety; even amongst his sisters, Rialta,
Leticia and Matilde., "llegaba su heraldo precedido por la tradici6n oral,
por las cosas que de 61 se contaban bajando la voz ...
" (13,236).
This amusing,, temperamental figure who is one of "esas criaturas in-
clinadas aunque sea con levedad al mal" (1.235),, does not seem a plausible
candidate for a tragic death. Yet Alberto's death is described in such
terms that critics have been led to speculate as to whether or not he
escapes final damnation. Fazzolari and Ulloa hold widely differing views:
Ulloa opina que la cargada simbologia que acompaiia el
viaje de Alberto apunta hacia la resurrecift y la bien-
aventuranza eterna, aunque no ignora que "la imagen fi-
nal del ärbol estä estrechamente vinculada con destruc-
ci6n y muerte y qu 5b es, por tanto, embleniätica de gsta
mäs que de vida", pero permanece ciego por completo
a las innumerables alusiones infernales. Hay un contr-
apunto de irrk4genes y situaciones de eternidad y salvacift
con otras de muerte y con ga ena en el que definiti-
vamente triunfan las dltimas.
Alberto's life may not have been exemplary but it is not at all obvious
why his death should involve these problems of interpretation. Nevertheless),
Lezama's imagery in this chapter demands an explanation, a re-evaluation
of Alberto as a character and/or archetype. I propose to scrutinise his
role in the novel, and in the light of this scrutiny to re-examine his
death. We have seen Alberto playing pranks with words but