Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The House of the Scorpion, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Free Will vs. Predetermination
Scientific Ethics and Abuse
Language, Law, and Dehumanization
Abuse of Power and Corruption
Summary
Analysis
Matt asks Chacho why the Keepers call him an aristocrat, and Chacho says it is because Matt sounds educated when he speaks and has nice manners. Matt feels bad, because he’s always just copied El Patrón. At dinner, Matt feels bad for Fidelito because out of all three of them who are denied food, he is the skinniest. Chacho bullies another kid into giving them some food and makes sure Fidelito eats the most.
The Keepers’ discrimination against those who seem intelligent and polite shows the corruption of their system, as they clearly fear that these otherwise positive traits will lead to rebellion. Matt’s worry about his difference shows his enduring fear of rejection and isolation from his peers.
Themes
Another Keeper, Jorge, tells all the workers a bedtime story about how minds need to be cleaned just like bodies. All the workers except for Matt, Chacho, and Fidelito repeat the phrase, “It’s good to be clean.” Jorge tells them a person must work constantly so their work does not become rusty. Jorge asks Matt how one is supposed to keep their mind clean. Matt says one must constantly use their mind, so it does not gather metaphorical dust. Jorge says this is the wrong answer.
The rest of the boys’ repetition of Jorge’s dogma suggests that the Keepers have successfully brainwashed all of them to obey. This categorizes Matt, Chacho, and Fidelito as outsiders because they do not conform. Jorge shows his illogical cruelty by calling Matt wrong, even though Matt’s answer to his question makes perfect sense.
Themes
Jorge says one must cleanse themselves through self-criticism and asks the other workers to show an example. A boy with bad acne and a flat face, named Ton-Ton, volunteers. Ton-Ton stands up and confesses to thinking about (but not actually) stealing food. Jorge asks him how he thinks one should be punished for thinking improper thoughts. Ton-Ton says he should have to repeat their society’s principals and philosophies.
Ton-Ton shows his complacency and desire to please by volunteering to confess, which suggests he has been completely brainwashed by the Keepers. Ton-Ton’s guilt over his thoughts shows how controlling the Keepers’ system in that the system tries to dictate every aspect of an individual.
Themes
The rest of the boys stand up and confess their crimes, and Jorge tells each of them to repeat the principles. Jorge then tells Matt to confess to his crimes. Matt says he has not done anything wrong, but Jorge accuses him of wanting to turn horses into eejits, of allowing Fidelito to throw up in a bag of production supplies, and of encouraging others to rest during the day. He tells all the other boys to punish Matt. All the boys, except Chacho and Fidelito, begin insulting Matt for his aristocratic habits. Their rejection hurts Matt deeply, because he thought he found someplace where he was no longer an outcast.
Jorge controls the boys by creating division between them and Matt, and making them attack one of their own. This is deeply painful for Matt because for his entire life, he has longed to belong among his peers. At this point in the story, it may seem like Matt will always be rejected for his inherent different, no matter where he goes. However, the fact that Chacho and Fidelito to not join in the persecution offers hope that Matt can maintain friends despite his oppression.
Themes
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Matt feels horrible, until he remembers all the kind words Celia, Tam Lin, and even El Patrón have said to him. He is filled with a new determination to survive. He remembers how María said she loved him. All the boys and Jorge leave, but Chacho and Fidelito remain by Matt’s side. Matt knows that as long as he has friends, he will survive and thrive, just as El Patrón survived a life of poverty and sickness.
Matt’s memory of all those who loved him, as well as the strength he finds in his new friendships with Chacho and Fidelito, continue to emphasize how personal relationships allow one to maintain their humanity even while living under oppressive systems that attempt to dehumanize them.
Themes
