Setting:
Comala, Mexico, August at the beginning of the story.
Comala is fictional, but the state of Jalisco is real.
Idealized vision of Comala:
“Just as you pass the gate of Los Colimotes there’s a beautiful view of a green plain tinged with the yellow of ripe corn.  From there you can see Comala, turning the earth white, and lighting it at night.”  4

Juan's movement up and down over hills and the “airless heat”--like entering purgatory or hell: “That town sits on the coals of the earth, at the very mouth of hell” 6
Juan Preciado walks by abandoned houses

Plot:
A son seeks the land of his father; this is his quest
Juan  meets with Abundio (who says “Pedro Paramo’s my father too” 5
Pedro Paramo had a lot of sons, illegitimate ones. 7

Literary devices:
Irony and mystery: “They’ll be happy to see someone after all the years no one’s come this way”
Knocking on a door—empty space 9

Characters:
Juan Preciado:
Searching for his father

Pedro Paramo:
Juan Preciado’s father; operates Media Luna ranch
But we discover that “Pedro Paramo died years ago.” 7

Mother (last name Preciado):
Tells her son to go back to her home and that of her former husband; she fears having her photograph taken; associates photographs  with witchcraft
She is superstitious and bitter

Abundio:
Drives mules; he leaves Juan and tells him to look up Dona Eduviges Dyada 9

Eduviges:
Juan’s mother’s friend; she is dead but part of the active spirit world

Narration:
First and third person--you have to figure out who is speaking.