Thesis: Mexicans stand up against the racist Americans.
Joaquin Murieta was a Mexican man who left Mexico to experience life in California (Ridge, 163). He had a very pleasing exterior and was a good person despite all his sorrows, he was a very happy person. He attracted many people to his table and won their money with his gambling skills. When he lost his own money through gambling, he would accept it with good humor. His sky seemed clear and his prospects bright, but Fate was weaving her mysterious web around him, and fitting him to be by the force of circumstances what nature never intended to make him (Ridge, 166).
This piece of reading really interest me. The beginning of this story started off by saying a Mexican man left Mexico for California. This hooked me in. I wanted to know more so it inspired me to read more of it. I also know a little history on that California once belonged to Mexico, so this intrigued me even more. I like how the author was very colorful in his choice of words. Like when he wrote that "His sky seemed clear..."(Ridge, 166). this is a metaphor because the sky does not belong to him. Metaphors make reading less bland. I also like when the author wrote, "...Fate was weaving her mysterious web around him..."(Ridge, 166). This is another metaphor because it is not to be taken literally that a web is being woven around him. This just means that Fate is taking place in this person's life. Further along, "...and fitting him to be by the force of circumstances what nature never intended to make him." I can tell by this line that Joaquin Murieta was about to become a bad person. I think that he is about to revenge since he has been treated so badly. This is the climax because it is the turning point. Something different is about to take place.
When I read this story, I thought the thesis was that a good person can go bad when he is treated unfairly. After focusing on this piece, I still stand by my original thought on what the thesis is. This thesis is leading to the bigger picture, the major theme which is that Mexicans stand up against the racist White people.
Ridge, Rollin John, ("From The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta, the Celebrated California Bandit", pgs. 163-170.
Hey, Laura!
ReplyDeleteI agree that Joaquin was once a very positive man, until he met his turning point as you said, " he is about to revenge since he has been treated so badly." I appreciate you breaking down the metaphors. It's amazing that one single line is composed of metaphors that I actually overlooked them. Thank you for that. What if you expand on your idea about Mexicans standing up against privileged White people?
Thanks for sharing,
Regina
Heeey, Laura!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this story, but I liked reading your perspective of it. I feel like we rarely read the same stories haha
I found your choice of words so cute "the author was very colorful in his choice of words", I also like that you pointed out the metaphors in the story, metaphors always make literature seems rich and also allows different people to interpret it. I think it's amazing!