Joaquin Character Analysis in For Whom the Bell Tolls

Joaquin is a guard for El Sordo’s guerilla group. He is “very young” with a “rather hawk-nosed face” and “friendly” eyes. He flirts aggressively with Maria, whom he helped carry to safety after discovering her in the wreckage of the train. Like Eladio and Andrés, Joaquin no longer has a family, since his father, mother, brother-in-law, and sister were shot by fascists in their hometown, Valladodid. As a younger man, Joaquin wanted to be a bullfighter, but he was fearful of bulls; now, however, he has “no fear of them,” since “no bull is as dangerous as a machine gun.”

Joaquin Character Timeline in For Whom the Bell Tolls

The timeline below shows where the character Joaquin appears in For Whom the Bell Tolls. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Violence, Cowardice, and Death Theme Icon

...out from behind a tree and greets Pilar, asking who Robert Jordan is. The guard, Joaquin, is a young man, with “friendly” eyes, who tells Maria that she is looking pretty;... (full context)

Before the war, Joaquin shined shoes, and though he wanted to be a bullfighter, he was too afraid of... (full context)

...tell him the rest of her story. He thinks of her as “a mountain,” and Joaquin and Maria as “young trees.” (full context)

As they near El Sordo’s camp, Pilar asks Joaquin about the shooting of his family. Joaquin’s parents were socialists, and the husband of one... (full context)

...like Maria—since “it’s [been] years since I’ve kissed a bullfighter, even an unsuccessful one like [Joaquin].” Joaquin reacts awkwardly, and Pilar says that “at times many things tire” her, since she... (full context)

...it will take place the day after tomorrow, in the morning. He tells Maria and Joaquin to come back later, and he, Pilar, and Robert Jordan drink whiskey. Jordan asks him... (full context)

...and Jordan alone; she is not jealous of Robert Jordan, but she was angry at Joaquin because she saw from his look how ugly she seemed to him. She is jealous... (full context)

...himself is wounded as well, and he watches as his men, including the young soldier Joaquin, begin to dig in the dirt to make mounds. They discuss La Pasionaria, who has... (full context)

...boulder and runs toward El Sordo. El Sordo’s men ready the automatic rifle again, and Joaquin begins to pray. (full context)

...the hilltop, then walks over to have a look: no one is alive except for Joaquin, whom Berrendo shoots in the back of the head, just as Sordo shot his wounded... (full context)