Summary

“Passion” began with 13-year-old Neftalí venturing to Uncle Orlando’s office to ask him for a job writing for his newspaper. Uncle Orlando agreed with the condition that Father gave his permission at dinner that night. He also agreed to read the essay Neftalí wrote for a school competition. When Uncle Orlando arrived for dinner, the guests asked for news. He told them about a new group that formed to be the voice of the Mapuche at town meetings. Before engaging in an argument, Uncle Orlando began to read an article that would appear in the newspaper. Neftalí recognized it as his own competition essay. Everyone at the table, including Father, enjoyed it. Upon crediting Neftalí, he received congratulations from everyone except Father, who called his writing “a frivolity” (286). Both Uncle Orlando and Rodolfo insisted upon Father’s agreement to Neftalí’s job...