Tell Them Not to Kill Me

Tell Them Not to Kill Me: Short story by Juan RulfoJuan Rulfo‘s short stories focus on the violence and hardships of rural peasant life in post-revolutionary Mexico. In this story a farmer (Juvencio) has been on the run for thirty-five years after viciously killing a friend for refusing to share his pasture during a severe drought. The murdered man’s son, now a police colonel, arranges for Juvencio’s capture. Juvencio, showing no remorse, begs for his life on the basis that he has already suffered enough. His grisly summary execution leaves readers to decide whether justice was served. Themes: land reform; endemic corruption; judicial system breakdown; father-son relationships; violence; revenge.

Share with friends