Though he can't articulate it to Angel, his answer is this: he needs to know if he has it in him to ask for the nails, if he can get up there in front of the whole village and do a performance so convincing he'll transubstantiate right there on the cross into something real.”
-- Narrator (Part I )

Importance: At this point, Amadeo believes that the procession is a “performance” and does not fully understand the reason he wants to suffer the pain of having actual nails driven into his hands. Much later, he realizes that he is trying to make up for the fact that he feels like a failure in every aspect of his life.

They've been waiting for her, Yolanda realizes, waiting for her to put their lives in order. She will right what's wrong, referee their contests, sooth their hurts and uncertainties.”
-- Narrator (Part I )

Importance: Yolanda has just returned home after her trip to...