"Flowering Judas" is a short story by Katherine Anne Porter, first published in 1930. The story takes place in Mexico during the 1920s and follows the protagonist Laura, a young American woman who has joined a group of revolutionary anarchists.
As the story unfolds, Laura begins to question her beliefs and her place within the group. She becomes disillusioned with the revolutionaries and their violent tactics, and she starts to feel a sense of alienation from both them and the local Mexican community. At the same time, Laura is courted by a young Mexican man named Braggioni, who she is both attracted to and repelled by.
The title of the story refers to the biblical figure of Judas, who betrayed Jesus with a kiss. In the story, Laura is compared to Judas because she is seen as a betrayer of the revolutionaries and their cause.
"Flowering Judas" is a complex and nuanced exploration of political ideals, personal morality, and cultural identity. It is notable for its vivid descriptions of Mexican life and for its psychological insights into the inner struggles of its protagonist. The story is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modernist literature and has been anthologized and studied extensively.
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