the stage for D. Carlos' internal struggles, already foreshadowing significant turmoil in his life. It begins by introducing the vibrant context of Oaxaca during the tumultuous period following Mexico's independence, described through rich imagery of the city's celebrations on Christmas Eve. D. Carlos is portrayed as a promising yet troubled young man, weighed down by sorrow and haunted memories, particularly regarding his feelings for María Luisa, a girl he once knew. As he grapples with the suffocating darkness of his emotions, the first chapters hint at both the romantic and tragic elements that will unfold in the story, leaving readers eager to explore how these two worlds converge. (This is an automatically generated summary.)