Trinidad Character Analysis in Death Comes for the Archbishop

Trinidad is a young priest who works closely with (and is mentored by) Martínez and Lucero. Though Martínez claims that Trinidad is Lucero’s nephew, Señora Carson suggests that Trinidad might actually be Martínez’s own son. Trinidad is depicted as unintelligent and slovenly; like his mentors, he has a seemingly endless appetite for material things, especially food and women. At the same time, Trinidad also shows occasional (and somewhat irrational) bursts of guilt, as when he flagellates himself with cactus spines during religious ceremonies.

Trinidad Character Timeline in Death Comes for the Archbishop

The timeline below shows where the character Trinidad 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

...Martínez’s home, where a man in religious clothing is asleep. Martínez explains that this is Trinidad; Trinidad is the nephew of Father Lucero, a priest in the neighboring village of Arroyo... (full context)

Memory, Death, and Afterlives Theme Icon

...that Latour knows nothing about the people he claims to govern. Latour then complains about Trinidad’s poor behavior, but Martínez only scoffs that Trinidad becomes a different person during Passion Week—during... (full context)

...home, Latour visits with his wife, who gossips with him about the frustrating Martínez and Trinidad; she suggests that Trinidad might even be the old priest’s son. But when Latour asks... (full context)

Humanity’s Relationship with Nature Theme Icon

Trinidad brought Vaillant the news of Lucero’s illness, and the next day, Vaillant sets off to... (full context)

...on Martínez’s soul, one third on Lucero’s soul, and one third on an inheritance for Trinidad. Vaillant agrees, but he also pushes Lucero to focus less on material concerns—if the old... (full context)

Colonialism, Industry, and Loss Theme Icon

The stillness of Lucero’s final moments was broken only twice. First, when Trinidad came to pray, Lucero panicked, thinking it was a thief. And then, in his very... (full context)