Lather and Nothing Else Summary by Hernandez Teller & Theme

Short Stories Lather and Nothing Else Summary by Hernandez Teller & Theme

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Theme

Courage

Courage can be defined in different ways. In this story, it is defined through inaction rather than action, by taking a rationale stand over raw emotions. The barber was brave enough to not let drawn into emotions and listened to the call of his conscience.

He was brave to not cut the captain neck in place of his beard. He was brave to withstand his provocation and cruel description of the murders he had committed.

In a strange way, the captain was also intrepid in his resolution to visit the barbershop even when he knew it was run by an enemy informant. He took a leap of faith and turned out to be right in his assessment that killing is never easy or morally acceptable.

Conscience

The story focuses on the call of conscience. Humanity is the first causality of war and it was true even in this case. The captain is shown to be brutal and deserving of a painful end while the barber has a golden opportunity to ext revenge and restore justice for his regime.

However, his conscience would not allow him to take a life even it is of a tyrant. On the other hand, even the captain confesses that killing can never be justified and it always takes a heavy toll on the murderer.

The ending of the story also celebrates the realization that peace can only come through life and not violence. Therefore, taking the moral route is the only true solution to lasting peace.

Fate

The story has an interesting take on destiny. Captain Torres knows about the barber's truth as an informant. But he takes a chance by letting him shave him while his eyes were closed.

Similarly, the barber had a choice to either kill him or let him leave unscathed. By the former, he would have become an instant hero among his people. However, he chose the latter and invited the ire of his comrades but kept his moral integrity intact.

Summary

Introduction

The story is set in the war-torn Colombia where the civil militia is fighting against an oppressive regime. The revolutionary militia has a network of informants disguised as people of normal trades like barbers, carpenters etc.

One such covert agent runs a barbershop and is the protagonist of the story. He is fueled by a desire to end the unending lineage of violence and sees the army and government as tyrants.

Captain Comes to Barbershop

One day, captain of the army, Torres comes to the barbershop. He asks for a shave. This creates a dichotomy for the barber who is caught between his desire to end the war and do the right thing.

He continues with his work and lather up the captain. They start talking and it soon becomes clear that the military man was there to gloat about his victims and brutal accomplishments of war.

This makes the barber's skin crawl but he keeps himself calm. The captain provokes and prods the barber by describing his acts of cruelty and bloodshed. He even asks him to claim loyalty to the army's cause. It is as if he wants a response from the barber.

Desire to Kill Captain

At one moment when he captain has his eyes closed and the barber has the razor in his hand, he wonders if he could help the cause of his compatriots by slitting the neck of the enemy.

However, he cannot bring himself to do the barbaric and cowardly act. He contemplates that a murder is not the solution for peace and violence is violence, even if it is retaliation. He finishes the shave and cleans the captain's face. He decides to keep his hands clean of any blood.

Truth Revealed

But as the captain is leaving he declares that he knew that he was an enemy informant. He had actually come there to test him. He also acknowledges that the hardest thing in life is to take someone else's life and it does not get easier. He, too, find it crushing and morally exhausting.

Short Stories Summary Lather and Nothing Else by Hernandez Teller & Theme 

Short Stories Summary Lather and Nothing Else by Hernandez Teller & Theme

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