Main Conflict
Daniel Sempere vs Lain Coubert
The main conflict in this novel is between Daniel Sempere and Lain Coubert. Daniel discovers a book named The Shadow of the Wind and a long with it a mystery about burned books. After reading The Shadow of the Wind Daniel attempts to find other books written by the same author and learns that they have all been burned. He discovers that a man who uses the name Lain Coubert has been burning all of Carax's novels. The name Lain Coubert itself is from one of Carax's novels and is the name of the devil in that novel.
In his first encounter with Lain Coubert, he realizes that the man who wants to buy the book from him is Lain Coubert, when he states, "'And what do you do with them (the books) if you don't read them?'...'The only thing that should be done with them, Daniel,'...'Burn them'"(56) This encounter essentially sets up the conflict between Daniel and Lain Coubert. The novel focuses on Daniel's quest to discover who Lain Coubert really is and why he is burning the books.
The main conflict in this novel is between Daniel Sempere and Lain Coubert. Daniel discovers a book named The Shadow of the Wind and a long with it a mystery about burned books. After reading The Shadow of the Wind Daniel attempts to find other books written by the same author and learns that they have all been burned. He discovers that a man who uses the name Lain Coubert has been burning all of Carax's novels. The name Lain Coubert itself is from one of Carax's novels and is the name of the devil in that novel.
In his first encounter with Lain Coubert, he realizes that the man who wants to buy the book from him is Lain Coubert, when he states, "'And what do you do with them (the books) if you don't read them?'...'The only thing that should be done with them, Daniel,'...'Burn them'"(56) This encounter essentially sets up the conflict between Daniel and Lain Coubert. The novel focuses on Daniel's quest to discover who Lain Coubert really is and why he is burning the books.
Secondary Conflict
Fermin vs Fumero
Another main conflict is the one between Fermin and Inspector Fumero. Early on in the novel, it is noticeable that there is some conflict between these two individuals. It is soon revealed that Fermin was tortured by Fumero after the war and that Fumero still continues to pursue Fermin to ruin his life. Fumero's dislike for Fermin is obvious when he comes to Daniel's father's shop to attempt to make them fire Fermin. While trying to convince Daniel he states,"What worries me is that, according to my informant, you're employing a common thief an undesirable individual of the worst sort."(136) Fumero continuously tries to hurt Fermin and it is obvious that Fermin hates Fumero and does not want to have anything to do with him, when he states, '"Fumero,'muttered Fermin. The very mention of his nemesis made him shudder." (152) The conflict between these two individuals continues throughout the novel and is a cause of many of the problems that Daniel and Fermin face.
Another main conflict is the one between Fermin and Inspector Fumero. Early on in the novel, it is noticeable that there is some conflict between these two individuals. It is soon revealed that Fermin was tortured by Fumero after the war and that Fumero still continues to pursue Fermin to ruin his life. Fumero's dislike for Fermin is obvious when he comes to Daniel's father's shop to attempt to make them fire Fermin. While trying to convince Daniel he states,"What worries me is that, according to my informant, you're employing a common thief an undesirable individual of the worst sort."(136) Fumero continuously tries to hurt Fermin and it is obvious that Fermin hates Fumero and does not want to have anything to do with him, when he states, '"Fumero,'muttered Fermin. The very mention of his nemesis made him shudder." (152) The conflict between these two individuals continues throughout the novel and is a cause of many of the problems that Daniel and Fermin face.