Buck Scales Character Analysis in Death Comes for the Archbishop

Buck Scales is a white hunter, raised in Texas but now living just outside of Taos, New Mexico, with his wife Magdalena. Scales is notable for his fearsome appearance and his even more fearsome personality; when Latour and Vaillant try to take shelter with Scales during a storm, they learn that he abuses his wife and murders anyone who stops by his home. After Latour and Vaillant are able to escape from Scales’s clutches, they work with Magdalena to ensure his prompt arrest and execution.

Buck Scales Character Timeline in Death Comes for the Archbishop

The timeline below shows where the character Buck Scales appears in Death Comes for the Archbishop. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Spirituality vs. the Material World Theme Icon

Colonialism, Industry, and Loss Theme Icon

The man (later known as Buck Scales) speaks with a drawling accent, and he looks menacing to the point that Latour... (full context)

When Buck’s back is turned, Magdalena makes eye contact with the priests and her face becomes “intense,... (full context)

Magdalena was born and raised in Taos. One day, Buck and a party of white hunters and trappers came through town; though Buck was known... (full context)

Memory, Death, and Afterlives Theme Icon

...With the help of a visiting Canadian trapper, the priests organize a search party for Buck, who is captured outside of Taos. The next day, the magistrate arrives, ready to exact... (full context)

Humanity’s Relationship with Nature Theme Icon

Buck Scales was hanged after a short trial. A few months later, Latour attended the Provincial... (full context)