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Articles

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): ILN Journal: Indian Literary Narratives

Representations of Childhood Innocence and Spiritual Consciousness in José María Sánchez-Silva’s The Miracle of Marcelino

Submitted
17 February 2026
Published
2026-03-30

Abstract

This article explores how the figure of the orphaned child functions as a mediator between the human and the divine, with particular emphasis on the symbolic role of the crucifix as an embodiment of suffering, redemption, and divine compassion. Employing a qualitative, text-centered analytical approach, the study engages with existing scholarship on children’s literature and religious narratives to highlight how Marcelino’s innocent acts, especially his offering of bread and wine to the crucifix, articulate a profound spiritual understanding that transcends institutional religiosity. The article further contextualizes the work within post-war Spanish society, acknowledging both its emotional appeal and its reception as a potentially ideological narrative. Marcelino’s longing for maternal love is interpreted as both an emotional and theological quest, culminating in a redemptive union that merges personal desire with spiritual fulfillment. The study argues that the narrative’s enduring impact lies in its ability to communicate complex theological concepts through simplicity, emotional depth, and symbolic imagery. The findings demonstrate that the novel constructs innocence not merely as a sentimental attribute but as a powerful epistemological and spiritual force that enables direct communion with the divine.

References

  1. Butler, Francelia. Children's Literature. Yale University Press, 1972.
  2. Harvey, Jessamy. “Death and the Adorable Orphan: Marcelino pan y vino (1954; 1991; 2000).” Journal of Romance Studies, vol. 4, no. 1, 2004, pp. 63–77.
  3. Hunt, Peter, editor. International Companion Encyclopedia of Children's Literature. Routledge, 2004.
  4. Klopper, Raphael George. “The Miracle of Marcelino.” Letterboxd,
  5. Sánchez-Silva, José María. Marcelino Pan y vino. Translated by John Paul Debicki, Scepter, 1953.
  6. “Butler, Children's Literature.” Yale University Press, 1972.
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  9. Hunt, Peter. International Companion Encyclopedia of Children's Literature. Routledge, 2004.
  10. “Amor Perfeito: saiba mais sobre Marcelino Pão e Vinho, obra que inspirou a novela.” Globo.com, 16 Mar. 2023.
  11. The Catholic Standard and Times, vol. 63, no. 5, 25 Oct. 1957.

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