Lather and Nothing Else

Fiction | Short Story | YA | Published in 1950

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Summary

Background

Story Analysis

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Symbols & Motifs

The Lather

The lather in “Lather and Nothing Else” represents the power and control that the barber has over Torres while he is in his chair receiving a shave. The lather, which is used to prepare the face for shaving, is also a symbol of vulnerability and trust. Torres, as the customer, places himself in the hands of the barber, trusting that he will not be harmed. Additionally, the lather symbolizes the tension and uncertainty of the barber’s decision-making process. As the barber applies the lather, he contemplates whether to kill Torres. The lather represents the barber’s power and control over Torres, as well as the responsibility and weight of his decision. The lather itself is light and airy. However, the razor is deadly. He could choose to mix the light and airy lather with blood from the slice of the razor, or he could remove the lather gently and with care. In this way, the symbol of the lather adds depth and complexity to the story, highlighting the ethical implications of the barber’s actions and the fragility of trust in difficult situations.

The Razor

The razor represents the potential for violence and the weight of the barber’s decision. The razor, which has exclusively been used for shaving, turns into a potential weapon that can cause harm and even death. As the barber prepares to shave Torres, he is aware of the power that the razor holds and the potential consequences of his actions. The razor, therefore, becomes a symbol of the moral dilemma that the barber faces. It represents the gravity of the decision to kill or spare Torres, and the potential consequences of that decision. The symbol of the razor adds tension and suspense to the story, as the reader is aware of the potential for violence throughout the scene through the barber’s internal dialogue. The razor also highlights the ethical implications of the barber’s actions and the consequences that come with the power to take a life.

Captain Torres’s Cartridge-Studded Belt

Captain Torres’s belt is a powerful symbol of the violence and brutality of the regime he represents. The protagonist of the story is a barber who is asked to shave the captain’s beard in his barbershop. The barber is also a member of a rebel group that opposes the military dictatorship, and he is faced with a moral dilemma: should he kill the captain and become a hero to his comrades, or spare his life and remain true to his profession as a barber?

As Torres enters his shop to get shaved, he makes a show of taking off his cartridge-studded belt and removing his pistol before sitting down to relax in the barber’s chair. The belt is a stark reminder of the violence and bloodshed that the captain has been responsible for, and it serves to intensify the barber’s internal conflict. In the end, the barber decides not to kill him, but the sight of the belt will likely stay with him, reminding him of the harsh reality of life under the regime and the upcoming execution of 14 men later that very evening. The belt thus symbolizes the violence and oppression that the rebels are fighting against and the difficulty of resisting a powerful and ruthless enemy.