It seems that in these cases of death, the supposed strength and virility (ergo, masculinity) of the generals did not serve to preserve their lives. Among the embarrassing deaths mentioned, that of General Lopez evokes distinct imagery and, furthermore, demonstrates how masculinity can serve one's detriment, beyond the idea that masculinity serves no purpose in the event of imminent mortality. General Lopez commits suicide due to "invincible pederasty". Pederasty, a word with its origins in ancient Greece, is used to describe a homosexual relationship (typically erotic) between an adult male and a pubescent male. It is common belief that in situations of pederasty, the adult male would maintain 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 connected to his masculinity, ergo, his being. In a predominantly Christian society (demonstrated by the language used in the book), it is clear why General Lopez could only imagine the conquest of his pederasty by imagining the end of his life. To the reader, this should serve as a harbinger of the dangers the General may face in the future, due to his pre-eminent masculinity. As far as the individual is concerned, this has surprising implications. Based on the first two instances where the Generals die, it appears 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, ensuring the ultimate destruction of the beholder. For Lopez, this was demonstrated by his inability to do so