The subject of crime and family has been creatively illustrated in the novel Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan. All throughout the story, Batacan uses the complexity of the characters to exemplify the relationships between the development of a crime and the situation of a family.
Alex and his family
The situation in the Carlos family is the deficiency of communication, caused by poverty and fear, which results to Alex actions.
In Chapter 22, we see the family background of Alex Carlos. His parents, although aware of what the circumstances were between their son and Mr. Gorospe, were afraid to report this. They “didn’t do anything” and “didn’t ask any questions.” This lines show acceptance of fault, and accountability of what happened to their son, who was molested by his P.E. teacher. This leads to a feeling of embarrassment on the part of the parents. The mother was “afraid somebody else was listening.”
In addition, Flora Carlos, Alex’s mom says, “My son has not kept in touch with us,” on the first part of the same chapter. This is a very ironic statement considering what happened during Alex’s childhood. The mother says that Alex has not kept in touch with them, when it was them who were not there for him during his younger days. They told him only to “be careful and be quiet,” an indication of fear and irresponsible parenthood. This is a case of the parents not having the initiative to reach out which, therefore, means a lack of communication and guidance.
Violence also intensified the lack of communication between the parents and Alex. The father hit Alex when he was young because of the blood he saw on Alex’s shorts. Although this was unintentional and only a result of sudden reaction, it still counts as a major part of what Alex became; it was mentioned that, after this happened, he tried hard to keep himself from killing his father.
All of these factors triggered Alex’s dysfunctional mindset, resulting to the murders he committed.
The victims’ families
Also, we see the families of the victims of the serial killings in one chapter. The author states the status of the families and the lives of the children before they were killed. The three victims have one thing in common: a broken family. This ultimately results to the children’s abduction and eventually, death. But the story also illustrates the effects of the children’s deaths to the families. This shows the back and forth connections between crime and family.
Edith Solis, who gave birth at a very young age and was immediately left by her partner Joel, experienced the trials of being a single mother. But in the end, she was able to carry her son and herself when she worked as a seamstress. It was mentioned that Noel was a “very good boy.” He did chores like washing dishes, cooking rice, and fetching water. His mother was so pleased at him; she kept saying that “he came from her”.
When her son has suddenly disappeared, she did not lose hope, she still washed his clothes, hoping that one day, he would return. However, when she has learned about what happened to her son, her heart was broken. She said, “No. Don’t tell me. Don’t tell me.” This hints her incapability to bear the news and to accept the death of her much-loved child. This is a situation where the death of a child, caused by a crime, affects a single mother. The brutal murder of Noel results to Edith’s grief and broken-heartedness.
But unlike the first family, the other two families also have contributed to the development of the crime. In Binang’s case, it is shown that Lino, her son, was a child she never wanted. This is a direct contrary to Solis’ affection for her son. Although both mothers experience circumstances of bearing a child against their will, Edith showed love for her son while Binang showed resentment towards Lino. Batacan reveals that Binang always had a “look of displeasure” on Lino, ignoring him all the time. Binang even sends him right away to her daughter after he was born, telling her, “It’s your turn now.”
This illustrates how this kind of set-up in the family results to the crime. Lino felt that he was unloved by his lola, who was actually his real mother. This feeling of his is caused by the way he is treated in the family, ignored all the time. Therefore, the lack of attention, and even affection, towards Lino gives good explanation for the development of the crime.
We see in the third family how Enteng, Lolita Bansuy’s son, was affected by the death of his father. After this incident, he went around with his “glue-sniffing friends” and joined them in their antics. He was always considered to be the ‘thorn” in the side of his mother, who was acknowledged to be a “busybody” with “good-natured jibes.”
Again, the condition of the Bansuy family creates a validation of why the crime happened. (By crime, I mean the development of it, not crime per se). Enteng always hung around with a bad crowd, exposing him to the belligerence of the streets. Unfortunately for him, he becomes the target of the serial killer.
Joanna, Wally, and the two priests
A different case of family is showed in the relationships between Joanna and Wally and the friendship of Jerome and Saenz. Both relationships are not based on blood, but are created by values of closeness and concern which makes these produce a mood similar to a family’s.
In Joanna and Wally Soler’s relationship, we observe the evidences that made their father-daughter-like connection. In Chapter 8, their actions signal that they are comfortable with each other’s company. Joanna is fond of calling Wally names like “Wally Wonka” or “Wallykins” while Wally makes fun of her all the time.
But it goes deeper than a friendly relationship. It is stated in the story that Wally showed “the same fondness (for Joanna) with which he might have laughed at his own children” and that he “sees Joanna as the daughter he never had.” With all these feelings revolving around their relationship, cognateness seems irrelevant. Joanna lost her father in an accident and thus, she turns to Wally to be her father-figure.
The two priests’ relationship, meanwhile, stemmed from their experiences of being together for a long time. They treated each other like brothers, finding humor in everything they do. All throughout the story, Jerome and Saenz seem to think alike, which is a result of their experiences as teacher and student.
Since Jerome’s family was not really that close, he felt like a member of the Saenz family. With them, as stated in chapter 7, he felt “an inexplicable happiness, wonderful and bewildering at the same time.” He also admired the family’s collective character which gives him an impression that happy families do exist.
But what are the connections of crime and these “family” relationships? It is obvious in the story that the brotherly communication between Saenz and Jerome was essential in finding out the identity of the serial killer, and thus solving the crime. Wally was committed to protecting Joanna, who managed to control herself from reckless actions that could put her in danger.
Family relationships and crime
In conclusion, the story’s theme, intensified by its characters, mirrors how a family is affected by a crime and vice versa. We understand the situational differences among the characters. Alex and the victims clearly had no one to rely on during their time of need while Jerome and Joanna both found “families” they could depend on. We see how the prior become part of the crime and the latter contribute in solving the crime.
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