Dona Perfecta Essay Example for Free

Dona Perfecta EssayDona Perfecta, write by B. Perez Galdos, is a novel that explores the conflict between the new reformist movement and the old ghostly school of thought. This conflict takes place in the small Spanish village of Orbajosa. Narrow-minded Catholic zealots hulk Orbajosa. The most prominent of the zealots is Dona Perfecta. Dona is tralatitious catholic and strives to fight any opposition to her fixed opinions. Pepe Rey, her nephew, presents the biggest challenge to Dona because he is an engineer who relies on scientific fact rather than religious faith. Dona feels as though Pepe is challenging her and the towns livelihood. This public opinion leads Dona to not only turn the town against Pepe, but also to have him killed. Donas Catholic belief system is only a facade to her evil temper. The town of Orbajosa is presented to be a small in so far inviting town. Pepe is welcomed to the town warmly and happily. Dona is the first to greet Pepe when the narrator sta tes, the sincere expression of her affection, was receiving him at the gate itself in her loving arms (23). Dona appears to be a very loving and hospitable character.She also surprises Pepe with her lengthy preparations to his style when the narrator states, Pepe recognized in all the details of the room the diligent and loving hand of the woman (24). Dona has proven that she is capable of being kind and loving towards those who pose no threat to her lifestyle. However, it is only when Pepe denounces faith that Dona feels threatened and begins to revel her evil nature. When Pepe and the town canon, Don Inocencio, meet, the men clash with their ideals. Both are wakeless and therefore, are stubborn.Pepe reveals to Don Inocencio that science is more valid than religious belief when he states, Mysticism in religion, numeral in science, mannerism in art, are failing, as the Pagan gods fell (36). Pepe expresses his opinions about science and religion without any hesitation. Don Ince ncio and the towns people of Orbajosa feel that Pepe is resolutely against their beliefs. Increasing animosity is the result of Pepes modernized mind-set. Dona feels as though Pepe is a liability to the towns look of life and the only way to get rid of the problem is to exterminate it completely.Dona is desperate to get rid of Pepe. She knows that Pepe poses the possibly to contaminate the towns ideals with his progressive philosophy. Dona decides that the town must turn against Pepe. Dona accuses Pepe of being disrespectful in the church when she states, between thinking things and demonstrate them in that irreverent manner, there is a distance which a man of correct sense and good breeding should never cross (56). Dona feels the need to make baseless accusations about Pepe in order to stir the public opinion against Pepe.Pepe himself recognizes the absurdity of Donas accusation when he states, I have shewn no contempt for any one, nor do I entertain the ideas which you attr ibute to me (57). Pepe is troubled by the idea that his own aunt would accuse him of such trivial acts. Pepe knows that his progressive ideals are threatening to the town and are creating distrust between him and Orbajosa. Dona knows that the only way to truly get rid of Pepe is to kill him. Dona is consumed with the idea that the town of Orbajosa is transitioning from a traditional mindset to a progressive mindset.In reaction, Dona orders the killing of Pepe. She then lies about the killing saying that Pepe pull suicide when she states, Pepe Rey at about twelve oclock last night entered the garden of the mansion house and shot himself in the right temple (218). Dona manufactured this lie in order to cover up her evil action. Dona resorted to extreme and evil measures in order to preserve her way of thought. Her name Dona Perfecta is humourous in the sense that Dona is far from perfect because she is evil.The injustice that Dona commits revels not only the true hypocritical natur e of Dona but also the hypocritical nature of Orbajosa as a whole. Dona Perfecta uses the conflict between Pepe and Dona to show the strong opposition the progressive movement faces. While Pepe was welcomed at first, he was soon ostracized and persecuted for his thoughts. The towns people of Orbajosa matte Pepe might threaten their way of life. Extreme measures were taken by Dona to put Pepe to rest. Perhaps Galdos intends the reader to take heed that while people may appear to be good, in reality, they are not what they seem.