portrayed quite often in the story. Demetrio first paints the portrait of wife and children, when he is first leaving his family behind to begin fighting. This image is described in such detail to sot of set the scene for how terribly lonely the men would feel leaving their women and children behind. "Demetrio could see the poignant, sharp silhouette of a woman pushing forward painfully, bearing a child in her arms." (6)
             Although the women and children of the men fighting were missed terribly, they were also used as a crutch various times in the novel. The day laborer pleads to Demetrio to spare his life, using the excuse that he has a wife and child at home. Demetrio tries to empathize with him, reminding him, " I've got kids too." (62) When Don Monico is discovered hiding in the hut, and Demetrio confronts him, Don Monico tries to play the friend route with Demetrio. When this does not work, Don Marco uses his family as his only means of salvation. "My wife! My children! Please Senor Don Demetrio, my friend!" (104) The
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