Furia

Camila’s mother is insecure; she is stuck in a loveless and abusive marriage yet still pines for her husband. Her moods tend to swing from caring to critical to wounded, all within a matter of minutes, and Camila has a difficult time feeling close to her. Despite her flaws, Camila’s mother works tirelessly as a seamstress with the goal of funding Camila’s schooling. She loves her children but doesn’t seem to truly understand their goals.

As Camila’s mother learns about her daughter’s soccer dreams and talents, she and Camila grow closer. Although she experiences immense emotional lows after learning that Pablo’s girlfriend is pregnant, she comes back stronger than ever. When Camila stands up to her father, Isabel finds the courage she needs to tell him to leave. By the end of the novel, her life has transformed. She has gained a sense of independence by opening her own sewing shop, has a healthy and honest relationship with her children, and supports Camila’s choices. Once she broke free from the control of her husband, Camila’s mother blossomed.

Diego Ferrari is Rosario’s golden success story. Abandoned by his mother at age eight, Diego was adopted and rose above his difficult circumstances to success as a soccer star. Diego is caring and generous by nature, and his newfound fame hasn’t tainted his selfless heart. He has a deep connection to Rosario, and as much as he loves playing in Italy, he misses his hometown deeply. Although Diego’s love complicates Camila’s life and future plans, Méndez shows that his feelings are genuine and that he admires Camila for her independence. While he does ask Camila to choose between soccer and a relationship with him, he has no villainous intent.

Méndez uses Diego’s character as a foil for Pablo, Camila’s brother. Both young men are talented soccer players, but everyone notices that Diego plays with a certain joy and spark that Pablo lacks. Beyond the field, they differ in their attitudes and behaviors. Diego has a sensitivity and kindness that Pablo does not. Diego gives generously and stays humble about his success, while Pablo feels pressured to make money through a soccer career. All in all, Méndez’s characterization of Diego as sensitive and kind places him in stark contrast with the other men in Camila’s life.

Pablo, “the Stallion,” Camila’s brother, plays soccer for Central and hopes to get a soccer contract like Diego’s someday. Although he’s talented, he doesn’t have the same flair on the field as Diego and Camila. Pablo feels pressure from his father to perform well as a player so that he can make money for the family, and this pressure seems to take the joy out of playing. Although he and Camila used to be close, he drifted away as he became wrapped up in both the pressures and the perks of fame.

Méndez shows that Pablo is at a crossroads in his life. Sometimes he sounds like his father when he raises his voice and speaks casually about the abuse and inequality of women that plague the culture. Although he worries for Camila’s safety, he thinks it would be her fault if she were to end up missing or in danger. Camila and Pablo used to be united against their father, but now, Pablo stands up for Camila and their mother less. His character shows the danger of the culture’s mentality towards women. As people grow up and face the pressures of adulthood, they easily buy into the same beliefs as their parents, and the cycle of inequality and injustice is perpetuated.

Camila’s father is cruel and insensitive. He is unsatisfied with his lot in life and blames his wife and children for holding him back. He emotionally abuses Camila, Pablo, and their mother, and at the end of the novel, he physically abuses Camila. Ironically, despite their imperfect relationship with their father, Camila and Pablo find themselves following in their father’s footsteps—pursuing careers as professional soccer players. Although Andrés manages Pablo’s career, Camila resolves that her father will never benefit from her success. He sees Camila as a business investment, greedy of any money or fame she gains from a relationship with Diego. He doesn’t see her talent or value, but rather views her as a means to improve his life. He is a domineering male personality who exemplifies the adversity Camila faces from society in her efforts to follow her dreams.

Roxana is Camila’s closest friend and, other than Coach Alicia, is the only person in her life who truly knows her talents and ambitions. Roxana is strong and independent like Camila, and the girls find common ground in their mutual desire to pursue their soccer dreams despite obstacles from society. She’s a generous friend and takes care of Camila by keeping her in the loop about team news, letting Camila borrow her cell phone, giving her rides, and even bringing her protein drinks before games.

Despite Camila and Roxana’s strong bond and many similarities, the girls come from contrasting socio-economic backgrounds and family situations. Roxana doesn’t know what it’s like to face financial problems. She doesn’t have to worry about paying for data for her phone or raising money for the tournament fees. Furthermore, Roxana’s family supports her dream of playing soccer. They come to every game to cheer her on. Meanwhile, Camila’s family struggles financially. She worries about paying for the tournament and can’t afford new soccer cleats, let alone data for her phone. Camila’s family wouldn’t approve of her playing soccer, so she keeps this part of her life a secret. She knows they would not support her goals for the future. The contrast between Camila and Roxana serves as the background for some of the disagreements the girls face. Although their friendship is strong, they sometimes struggle to see where the other is coming from because of their financial and family situations.