Zorro History

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Recommended: The influence of history on American literature

The Influence of History History. People are subject to constant impact as a result of this. History is the only thing that never stops. Civilization may rise and fall, but history records and explains stories about it. In the Spanish setting of the novel, Zorro, written by the Chilean-American, Isabel Allende, the historical events have a profound effect on the outcome of the story. The setting starts in Spanish controlled California, where people were often controlled by the Christian missionaries while Native culture was frowned upon. The main character, Diego de la Vega, was the son of a successful military officer, Alejandro de la Vega. This gave Diego an impactful social status in Spanish culture. Many significant historical events that …show more content…

The story starts when a group of natives attacks a mission in Alta California. The mission is defended by Alejandro de la Vega, father of the main character. “Let us begin at the beginning, at an event without which Diego de la Vega would not have been born. It happened in Alta California, in the San Gabriel mission in the year 1790 of Our Lord.” (Allende 5.) The statement sets up this impactful event as we soon find that the leader of the attacking natives was a woman who soon became Diego’s mother. Diego’s grandmother, takes Diego and his milk brother, Bernardo on a set of trials in which Diego’s life has been saved by a fox or a Zorro in Native tongue. (Allende “Zorro: Summary”.) His grandmother, then states that Diego must become like a fox because it had an impression on him during his trial by saving him. (Allende 80.) Diego and his milk brother are then sent to Spain to continue their studies during the rise and fall of the tyrant, Napoleon …show more content…

This was a result of the abdication of the emperor Napoleon. After Moncada kills Juliana’s father, Juliana and Diego go to America after threats of being arrested. “Oh, you won’t have to that far, we are on our way to California, Diego said in farewell.” (Allende 237.) Diego found the captain that took him to Spain the first time. Captain Leon was taking supplies to the Americans during the War of 1812. Because of this war, Juliana, her friend Isabella, and Diego were able to escape to America after threat of arrest in Spain. While in Cuba, Juliana, her friend Isabella and Diego are captured by the pirate Lafitte. Lafitte takes them to his home in Louisiana near New Orleans, where Juliana falls in love with him. Lafitte releases the three and Isabella and Diego travel to California while Juliana stays with Lafitte to marry him. (Allende 295-320.) Moncada also returns to California and holds Alejandro de la Vega hostage. Diego is then captured by Moncada and his men. Stunningly, Diego is saved by not one, but two Zorro figures, Isabella and Bernardo. Diego then forces Moncada to sign a confession of his guilt and treason and Diego forces him to return to Spain and to never return to California. (Allende 355-370.) The story ends around 1840 in California where we find our main character has settled down. “He has multiplied his fortune, and Diego’s, who is still obsessed with

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