Student's comments on the subject of US Latino/Chicano Literature

While reading this first part of the novel, what struck me the most at first was the structure in which we find it. The first page starts with the music notes for the Corrido of Gregorio Cortez. And then we go into the contextualization of the story in Chapter 1, where the author gives an understanding of the different special settings and actors of this story. In Chapter 2 we find the telling of the legend. I found that it was being told as if someone was reading it out loud, transmitting it orally as one does around a campfire. That is how this legend was passed down, through singing this corrido. Chapter 3 brings a firm, somewhat biographical account of The Man himself and finally Chapter 4 goes into the progress of this person as a folklore hero. We note that there is a clear difference of the telling of the legend in chapter 2 versus chapter 3. In chapter 3 we receive more specific information, names, dates, the consequences and his descendants, this is where we

One of the events that transpired in this second half of the book that impressed me was Mrs. Darrell’s speech on her views of the land laws. The whole event was revealing of her true nature, a nature that we have known as readers since the beginning of the novel. She was honest, showing integrity and firmness of spirit, and assumed responsibility in deceiving her husband and those involved. As it pertains to the author’s views on women, this character has voice and imposes her voice over that of men. However, the author makes it known that she has no seat among the men in the “colony” , for none offer her one, she simply steps in and speaks. That is a rupture in the behaviours set by women in the novel. Mrs. Darrell expresses a forward opinion of the Law, on matters of the land, on business, conscience and ethics. In contrast Dona Josefa, Mercedes, Elvira, Mrs. Mechlin (George’s Aunt) all seem to fit this “mold” of womanhood where matrons impose tradition and custom

I really enjoyed reading this first half of the novel. Several themes and concepts resonated with me and I am still processing them as I read the novel. In this post I want to talk about the characters of Clarence and Don Mariano, and how they embody a notion of “loyal citizenship”. I believe that Ruiz de Burton is a “Ciudadano Loyal” in the critique she makes against the law, underlined in the lives and experiences of the characters. Those that embody this idea of ideal citizenship are Don Mariano and Clarence. As the story unfolds these characters grow close to each other over agreeing on concepts of justice and good morals. Despite what the law was attempting to enforce, they persevere with their conscience that guides them to make good decisions out of care for their neighbour, county, and country. It is interesting for they are both members that belong to “opposing groups” to a fragmented community, one from the so called “Spaniards” and another from the “squatter”