In the short story, "Rosena on the Mountain," Rene Depestre tells the story of a humble man, who on a quest for purity, becomes sidetracked by temptation. The story takes place in the country of Haiti, and there are three main characters: Alain, Father Mulligan and Rosena.
Alain is a curious young man who feels called to the priesthood. In order to fulfill his purpose, he meets Father Mulligan who acts as his mentor and assists Alain on becoming a servant of God's work. Father Mulligan is the towns priest; An Irish man who stationed himself in the country of Haiti. Father Mulligan takes Alain under his wing and becomes a mentor and friend to him, and Mulligan's true colors begin to manifest as he comes face to face with temptation. Rosena is the housekeeper for Alain and Father Mulligan; a free spirit who is very comfortable with herself - and Depestre's embodiement of temptation.
Along Alain's spiritual journey, Father Mulligan insists they go to the mountain for a couple of months to find clarity in themselves and in their religion, almost like some sort of soul searching retreat. While in the mountain Father Mulligan request a housekeeper to upkeep the home and cook for the household during their stay. The housekeeper by the name of Rosena arrives and immediately executes her duties. After a couple weeks Alain and Father Mulligan have become smitten by the company of a woman, textual evidence says Father Mulligan took more care with himself in order to look pleasing for Rosena. .
One afternoon, on one of Alain and Rosena's strolls to the market, Rosena capitalizes on the male weakness and tempts Alain with her body, resulting in him being consumed by her temptation. Immediately after this event, a rift arose in Father Mulligan and Alain's friendship. A rift so severe the story concluded in complete chaos, such as fights and men genitalia being completely removed from the body by force.
