Analysis Of The Old Gringo

The Old Gringo, by Carlos Fuentes, is an intriguing, multicultural novel that exhibits the differences between the Mexican and the North American inner nature. The novel takes place in Mexico, during the Mexican Civil war which lasted from 1909 to 1913. The Mexican civil war, or the Mexican Revolution, began when Francisco Madero challenged the Mexican dictator, Porfirio Diaz. Porfirio Diaz ruled Mexico for 35 years until he was put out of power by Francisco Madero when Diaz was caught blatantly rigging the election. (Put citation here)

José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori was born on September 15, 1830, in Oaxaca, Mexico. He was born a “mestizo”, which is a person from a mixed Indian-European Heritage. He was born into a family that had very little money. Diaz was so poor that his family could not afford for him to finish school, which was a prime reason for his struggle in life. Diaz was not very literate, so he found that the army was more suitable to his demeanor. Diaz became a prisoner of war in 1863, which was an unfortunate time in his life, but through his demise he escaped and became a commander in Juarez’s Army. He led Mexico to many victories against the French Army, most importantly the Battle of Puebla. This battle is still recognized to this day as the Cinco de Mayo. “He initially wanted to become a priest but didn't finished his carrier and switch to study law. Later on he abandoned his carrier and become a soldier do to the problems in Mexico”(Diego De Leon). This shows the severity of how different someone can become because of power. Early on in life, Diaz wanted to become a priest, then he got the taste of power. Once Diaz got the taste of power, he realized that he wants to be superior to everyone else. T...

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...led in their home place. He also refers to America as the traveler. He does so because the Americans traveled to Mexico to fight, they were better off because they got land with the deal.

The first and the last line of this novel are identical. “Now she sits alone and remembers”(Carlos Fuentes). In the beginning of the book Harriet Winslow was alone. Throughout the story, she learned to love both the old gringo, Ambrose Bierce, and also Tomas Arroyo. In the first pages of the novel, Harriet said that she will always hate Arroyo, however they fall in love and they make love for the first time. The old man Bierce tried to tell Winslow that he loves her, but by that time it was too late. Bierce finally gets killed by Arroyo. Arroyo was later killed by Villa’s troops, leaving Harriet all alone. Once again she sits alone and remembers everything that they went through.