Just Lather, That’s All

 Just Lather, That’s All

In “Just Lather, That’s All,” Hernando Tellez skillfully employs the literary device of inner conflict to convey the weighty moral dilemma of taking another’s life. Through the barber’s character flaws of fear, cowardice, and indecision, the author depicts the complexity and nuance of the barber’s decision-making process. As the story unfolds, readers witness the barber grappling with his personal convictions and emotions, as well as his perceived duty to the rebel cause. Ultimately, Tellez’s message is clear: the decision to kill is never an easy one, and its ramifications are not easily shrugged off.

As Captain Torres is being shaved, he is literally vulnerable to any surprise attack as he has hung his gun “up on a wall hook and placed his military cap over it” (p.1). However, the author reveals a process in which the barber justifies his deferral of slitting the captain’s throat. One example appears in the beginning of the story when the barber recognizes Torres at first glance and cannot help but “tremble” (p.1). However, he acts normally to “conceal [his] emotion” (p.1) and his identity as a rebel. The barber’s trepidation foreshadows his failure to kill the captain.

Fear gradually takes hold of him as the story progresses. While the barber is shaving Torres, the “sight of the mutilated bodies” (p.1) lingers in his mind. Although he “comes face to face with [Torres] for an instant” (p.3) and has a great opportunity to take the life of his enemy, he vacillates about whether he should take action. He knows the man lying on the barber chair is not only an enemy but also a person whom is deeply respected and feared by many. He realizes that Torres has tremendous power to end a life. As a result, the barber’s cowardice becomes an obstacle to his plan. His timidity prevents him from acting on his initial plan to kill Captain Torres.

The barber’s fear and cowardice are further exemplified in his imagination of Torres’ death in his barber shop. While the barber notices that Torres “[closes] his eye” (p.2), he is “trembling like a real murderer” (p.2). He imagines blood covering “the floor” (p.2) and having to “close the door” (p.2). The barber’s constant soliloquy indicates that he is on the brink of losing his mind. As hesitation erodes his mind, the barber is more inclined to maintain his own interests than take on responsibility. He makes a plausible excuse for not killing Torres, claiming that he does not want to be burdened with the task of cleaning up the murder scene. However, the truth is that he simply does not have the determination to kill Captain Torres. Therefore, the barber justifies his reluctance to kill under the pretext of being too bloody and bothersome.

The author’s masterful use of foreshadowing, imagery, and characterization creates a sense of tension and unease throughout the story, underscoring the gravity of the barber’s dilemma. The barber’s constant vacillation between duty and morality, his vivid imagination of the consequences of his actions, and his palpable fear and cowardice all contribute to a complex portrait of a man caught between opposing forces.

Furthermore, Tellez’s story raises broader questions about the morality of violence, the effects of power dynamics on individuals, and the psychological toll of making life-and-death decisions. These themes resonate beyond the specific context of the story and speak to the universal human experience of navigating ethical dilemmas in a complex world.

In conclusion, “Just Lather, That’s All” is a poignant and thought-provoking examination of the moral complexities of violence and the human psyche. Tellez’s vivid and evocative prose draws readers into the mind of a conflicted barber, challenging them to grapple with their own beliefs and values. This powerful narrative serves as a timeless reminder of the difficult decisions we face as individuals and as a society, and the enduring impact of those choices.