Flowering Judas

“Flowering Judas” is an exploration of how a young woman’s experience in Mexico exposes the theme of Faith and Disillusionment as Laura’s ideals meet with reality. The story occurs over one evening, so the reader is unaware of how Laura has changed during her time in Mexico. However, it is clear that she feels let down by the realities of the city in the aftermath of the Revolution. The faith and ideals that motivated her to move to Mexico and join the revolutionary cause have been shattered. She is stuck with Braggioni’s unwelcome company, but there is a greater sense of paralysis and discontent beyond her present circumstances. Laura is “not at home in the world” (Paragraph 22), and her internal unease permeates the narrative, giving the story an ambiguous, unreliable feeling. Laura feels disconnected from others and lacks a sense of belonging; she is lost in the world and to herself.

Laura’s sense of detachment lends itself to the mood of the story. She does not have close relationships with others or passions and interests. Her job as a teacher seems to be one of necessity, and while her pupils love her, she describes them as “poor prisoners who come every day bringing flowers to their jailor” (Paragraph 40).