Question

What made Lencho angry?

Hint:

When analyzing characters in literature, consider their emotional responses to situations and how these emotions are tied to their beliefs and experiences. Lencho’s anger is driven by his unwavering faith in God and his disillusionment with human beings.

Answer 1

In the story "A Letter to God" by G.L. Fuentes, Lencho, a poor farmer living in a rural area, is devastated by a fierce hailstorm that destroys his crops, which were his sole source of income. After the storm, Lencho is left with nothing but a deep sense of despair, believing that without his crops, his family will face starvation. However, his faith in God remains unwavering, and he decides to write a letter to God, asking for 100 pesos to help him survive. Lencho’s belief in divine intervention is so strong that he is certain that God will answer his plea.
When Lencho receives a response, he is initially hopeful, but upon opening the envelope, he finds that the amount of money is only 70 pesos instead of the 100 pesos he requested. This is when Lencho becomes angry. His anger stems from the fact that, in his mind, the money is not sufficient, and he is certain that the post office employees have stolen part of the amount. He immediately assumes that the people who handled his letter are dishonest and corrupt. Lencho's anger is thus not only directed at the perceived injustice of receiving less money than he asked for, but also at the human beings whom he believes are responsible for it. He believes that God provided the money, but it was the post office workers who betrayed him. Lencho's inability to recognize the humanity and integrity of others leads him to react in anger and make unfair accusations.
Lencho’s reaction reflects his naivety and his simplistic view of the world, where he places absolute faith in divine justice but has little trust in human beings. His anger is not only a result of his disappointment with the insufficient amount of money, but also his suspicion that human beings, especially those in positions of authority, are inherently corrupt. This theme highlights the contrast between faith in a higher power and the skepticism of human intentions, making Lencho a complex character driven by both faith and frustration.