War, the main theme in this story, is supported by themes of power, social class, corruption, justice, morality, and religion. The most important underlying theme though has to be that of the portrayal of women. Azuela uses this war time atmosphere to describe just how important women in Mexico were at that time. Whether they were a part of the battles, or just a faint memory in a soldiers mind, the Mexican women ha a major impact on the revolution.

Women in general, were portrayed in three ways through out the story. Women were related to religion in terms of the Virgin Mother. In Agipita's hut, the Virgin Mother was held in high honor. This is displayed when her hut is being described as having, " a picture of Christ and one of the Virgin."(58) This shows the reader that in this religious society, Christ is very much respected, but the Virgin Mother is placed on the same level of worship as Christ himself.

War Paint is such a strong woman that she has become very good at manipulating even Demetrio. Camilla is having problems with Demetrio, so War Paint devises a plan to manipulate Demetrio into allowing Camilla to stay behind when the men leave the next day. War Paint is so clever that she has Demetrio believing that Camilla is simply ill, and will join up with the rest of them when she is feeling better, when really it is all a scheme for Camilla to escape. "Look here, I'll help you out of this mess! I'll see that you get home safe and sound." (110) When Camilla backs out of the plan, War Paint's concern for Camilla and persistence in carrying out her plan against Demetrio makes her once again cry out on Camilla's behalf. " Camilla can't go!" (112)

War Paint's strength is portrayed when she is at her lowest. When all heads are turned on her and all men are against her, War Paint still refuses to surrender. Demetrio had decided to get rid of War Paint, but she would not be sent away without a fight. Although all odds were against her, it was her persistent strength that allowed War Paint to gain one last victory. " In a trice she bent down, drew a sharp, gleaming dagger fro her stocking and leapt at Camilla. War Paint was determined to bring down the very force that had required her to be sent away from the revolution. She had killed Camilla.

War Paint is probably the most influential woman portrayed by Azuela in the novel. She not only forces herself to be introduced to Demetrio, but she becomes just as good a fighter as most of the men fighting. War Paint also displays tremendous physical and emotional strength.

Throughout the novel, the soldiers had to rely on their faith and worship to get them through the hard times. It was their prayer that kept them sane and gave them the will to move toward the next battle. During this prayer however, the men were never showed to be praying to Christ. Instead, they were always calling upon the Virgin Mother to guide and protect them. "Holy Virgin mother of god! Don't let me miss this son of a bitch." (86) "The Holy Virgin, protect me." (110)

Among all the commotion of the war, many thoughts and petty quarrels are either swept under the rug of muffled under ones breath. That is, until War Paint was introduced. Not leaving anything to the imagination, she speaks her mind and tells it like it is, no matter who she might be speaking to. The soldiers have been moving around for quite some time now, and had grown accustomed to sleeping at a hotel or an inn. Well, times had obviously changed without the men knowing

Some common words found in the essay are:
War Paint, Holy Virgin, Mariano Azuela's, War Paint's, Demetrio Camilla, Don Demetrio, war paint, Virgin Mother, Christ Throughout, War Pint, Don Monico, demetrio camilla, virgin mother, war paint's, camilla war, wife children, women children, women azuela, camilla war paint, war paint introduced, woman portrayed, rid war, woman portrayed azuela, rid war paint,
Approximate Word count = 1752
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)