It seems that in these cases of death, the supposed strength and virility (hence masculinity) of the generals were of no use in preserving their lives. Among the embarrassing deaths mentioned, that of General Lopez evokes distinct imagery – furthermore, it demonstrates how masculinity can serve to a person's detriment, beyond the idea that masculinity serves no purpose in cases of imminent mortality. General Lopez commits suicide because of “invincible pederasty”. Pederasty, a word originating from ancient Greece, is used to describe a homosexual (usually erotic) relationship between an adult man and a pubescent man. It is commonly accepted that in situations of pederasty, the adult man would occupy the “masculine” position in these relationships. This context allows us to posit that Lopez’s “invincible pederasty” was a byproduct of his masculinity. Furthermore, we can conclude that Lopez's pederasty is invincible because it is inextricably linked to his masculinity, therefore to his being. In a predominantly Christian society (the language used in the book demonstrates this), it is clear why General Lopez could only imagine the conquest of his pederasty by imagining the end of his life. For the reader, this should serve as a damning harbinger of the dangers the general may face in the future, due to his preeminent masculinity. As far as the individual is concerned, this has striking implications. Based on the generals' first two instances of death, it seems that their masculinity has no potential use in saving them - meaning that masculinity could not help them fight or persevere in their situation. Ultimately, it shows that masculinity can be a counterintuitive force, guaranteeing the viewer's eventual destruction. For Lopez, this manifested itself in his inability to