Abstract
The fame ofJuan Rulfo (1 918-1986), one of the most well-known Mexican authors of his time, is based almost entirely upon two works, Pedro Paramo (1955) a novel , and a collection of short stories entitled EI Llano en Llamas, [The Burning Plains] (1953). These, however, are not the only works that make up his repertoire. He wrote three screenplays La Formula Secreta [The Secret Formula] (1964), EI Gallo de Oro [The Golden Cock] (1964), and EI Despojo [The Remainder] (1960). In addition, he wrote a few other articles and short stories including a collection of his photographs portraying the Mexican landscape reflected in his literary works. He is well known for his literary experimentation in narrative techniques such as shifts of narrative and temporal focus and for his employ of magic realism (although based in the reality of Latin America, this mode reveals a world in which the laws of nature are suspended or act contrarily) and changes in temporal settings.
While the concept of the journey has not been as studied as other areas in the works of Juan Rulfo, it is one motif found in his writings that contributes to the development of his themes and narrative style. An examination of the idea of the journey in the works of Juan Rulfo brings to light three main issues found in his writings: the role of religion, the theme of escape, and a criticism of society. Although his criticism of society is less well acknowledged in his works, nevertheless they play a role as George D. Schade comments, "Large social ills are commented on dispassionately only when they have bearing on the personal dramas Rulfo is unfolding" (Schade ix). Thus, the conclusion can be drawn that, while Rulfo is not well known for his criticisms of society, there are certain moments in his stories in which hedoes effectively present them.