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Description
Berganza (dog) seems to have opened his eyes to another world in
which he is in actuality a man, and not a dog. La Canizares claimed
that when his mother bore Berganza/Montiel, he and his twin
brother, presumably Cipion, were changed into puppies because of a
grudge held against their mother. The witch also tells Berganza
that he can possibly regain his human form, something that
obviously affects him quite deeply.
The episode of the witch comes in the center of the "Dialogue of
the Dogs," indicating its importance. The witch's philosophy is so
different from Berganza's that he is transfixed by it, as it opens
a world of new possibilities to him, and "it is through her that
questions regarding the deeper mysteries of life are introduced to
Berganza." The witch tells her own story in the first person,
instead of the point of view of Berganza himself, and she "converts
the story from an idle animal fable to one of deep moral
dimensions." Through the character of the witch Cervantes perhaps
tries to draw the reader into the possibilities of opinions that
may be frightening, and shows that even though actions may seem to
be spawned of the devil, that those who are condemned of these acts
can be human in their behaviors and dreams. The witch is torn
because while she tries to redeem herself by working in the
hospital, she knows it is not possible, as she has had little
choice than to give herself to evil. The witch talks of how
although her pleasures may not be real, but imagined during the
trances she undergoes, and though they may be inspired by the
devil, "still to us they seem pleasures" and by this she shows
Berganza that for some, this is the only way to experience such
pleasures.
originally posted by anonymous on 2005-02-14, no edits, entryid=1942
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