Juan Rulfo employs a unique blend of symbolic significance and understated prose in his story to convey deep philosophical ideas. Through strategic use of proper names and vivid metaphors, Rulfo paints a picture of spiritual blindness and destructive passion, while his distinctive style of writing leaves readers with a haunting sense of the characters' internal struggles. The narrative touches on themes of moral decay, guilt, and the unspoken burden of emotional torment.

Symbolic Significance of Names

In Rulfo's story, names carry profound symbolic weight. The irony of Tanilo Santos’s surname, meaning "saints," starkly contrasts with his decidedly un-saintly behavior and that of his wife. The fictional town of Talpa is named to highlight the characters' spiritual blindness, as "talpa" is Latin for the genus of moles, animals known for their inability to see. This symbolism extends to the narrator and Natalia, who, like moles, are depicted as hiding from the sun. The pilgrims traveling to Talpa with the characters are metaphorically portrayed as worms, emphasizing their spiritual obscurity. Both moles and worms travel underground, emphasizing the story’s theme of hidden and often dark motivations, contradicting the usual perception of a pilgrimage as a journey toward enlightenment.

Volcanic Passion and Destruction

Zenzontla, another fictional place-name, subtly references "tezontle," a volcanic rock typical in Mexico. This allusion ties into the story’s themes of fiery and destructive passion. The earth on which Natalia and the narrator lie during their adulterous acts is described as hot, with Natalia’s body heating up near the narrator, and their union akin to a fire. This imagery serves to underscore the uncontrollable, fiery passion that ultimately leads to the destruction of all three main characters. Tanilo's life is literally extinguished, while the narrator and Natalia are left desolate and tormented by guilt, with their lives metaphorically in ruins.

Understated Prose and Physical Metaphors

Rulfo’s stylistic choice of understatement and flat descriptions amplifies the emotional gravity of the narrative. The scene depicting Natalia and the narrator burying Tanilo epitomizes this approach. They are shown digging a hole with their bare hands without any embellishment or adjectives, capturing a stark and raw moment. Rulfo’s narrative eschews delving into the characters’ internal thoughts, instead describing their psychological agony through physical sensations. The air "smelling of death" and their hearts "squeezed" serve as tangible expressions of their anguish. Such techniques—unadorned descriptions and the conversion of emotional pain into physical imagery—characterize Rulfo’s distinctive literary style, leaving readers to infer the depth of despair and remorse experienced by the characters.