Cultural Conflicts In The Life And Adventures Of Joaquin Murieta

Author John Rollin Ridge, exemplifies cultural conflicts which could tell us as readers if he used his fictional character Joaquin as a mask to cover the misery and mishap his life had brought upon him.

John Rollin Ridge, author of The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta share similarities with his character. Character Murieta, is symbolized as a man who turns to violence after the lynching of his brother, and a gang rape of his young wife. Author Ridge, who also turned to violence when his father and grandfather were murdered by wrathful Native Americans who had to give up their land due to a treaty his family agreed and signed on. The relocation of the Cherokee’s. Ridge's family was blamed for signing the treaty, which is known today as, the "Trail of Tears".

Ridge shares parallels with Elias Boudinot.

Another Native American writer mentioned in the "Early Native American Writings of the 19th Century". Ridge and Boudinot both Cherokee, both argued that to have peace, one must obey and adapt to the white man's lifestyle. Ridge and Boudinot thought, adapting would be the only way natives could survive. Treaty of Echota, which was a signing for the removal of the Cherokee's. Boudinot and Ridge's elders, were eliminated on the same day, due to signing. The signing was a shift to many Cherokee's in Indian Territory.

Between the fictional Murieta by Ridge, and the fact of “Murrieta” determined by William Mero. Ridge’s book, Joaquin’s wife was called Rosita. In the new book his wife is now Carmela. (Growth of the Legend, Literary fiction or historical fact) Murrieta came across a mistress named, Clarina after the death of his wife. To add one more interesting fact from William Mero, under the new author, Joaquin lost his Mexican citizenship and became a Chilean, "El Bandito

Chileno".

Murrieta did in fact remain a person of interest in the literary focus of 20th and 21st century writers. After Ridge's adventure of killing his father's enemy, he left the Cherokee land and returned to writing novels. He wrote and published poetry in Arkansas and California. Ridge fled to Arkansas for ten years after the death of the elder Ridges and Boudinot. He wrote in newspapers of romantic poetry and the idea of Manifest Destiny. Paul Lauter stated, Ridge was convinced of "Manifest Destiny". He then goes on to tell us Ridge, argued justice be demanded for his less cultivated brothers be safe from cruelty while development took place from the March of European Civilization.

Although John Rollin Ridge short novel "The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta, was not completely a success or all true, he went on to writing poetry, and being a newspaperman. Majority of his writing shouted the need of Indians to become civilized. He had a theory. For the Cherokee's to live, they must put up with the white man's rules and adapt to their nation.