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Theme Of Just Lather That's All

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Just Lather Memo

The theme of the short story, Just Lather, That’s All by Hernando Tellez, is, one’s sense of duty defines moral character. The main character in this story is the Barber. He is placed in a predicament when the captain of the local military force that occupies the town enters his barbershop. The Barber is a rebel undercover fighting against the military force. “No doubt about it, I was upset. [...] He probably thought I was in sympathy with his party” (Barber 1). Even with this conflict of interest the Barber adheres to his duty as a barber.
“I would be obligated to shave that beard like any other one, [...] taking pains to see that no single pore emitted a drop of blood” (Barber 2) It is shown that the Barber takes pride in his …show more content…

But at the same time he would be violating his sense of duty as a barber. “So it was going to be very difficult to explain that I had him right in my hands and let him go peacefully-alive and shaved” (Barber 3). The Barber decides to let torres live because his sense of duty comes before and defines his moral qualities. He knew that killing Torres would raise morale of the rebels in hiding and add to their cause. He would satisfy his grudge for the atrocities committed by Torres’ men. “[...] hanging the naked rebels and then holding target practice on their bodies?” (Barber 2). However the Barber also realize that the murder would create a chain reaction of revenge killing. Eventually creating a “sea of blood” (Barber 4). The theme is further reinforced at the end of the story by the remarks made by Captain Torres as he leaves the barber shop. “They told me that you’d kill me […] But killing isn't easy. You can take my word for it” (Torres 4). Torres’ statement as he leaves the barbershop shows that he experience similar struggles as the Barber does.

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