"The Squatter and the Don"

Charles So
English 48B

Feb. 1 2011

Journal for Ruiz De Burton

Author Quote:

"Thus the government washes its hands clean, liberally providing plenty of tribunals, plenty of crooked turnings through which to scourge the wretched land owners.  Don Mariano had been for some years under the lash of the maternal government, whom he had found a cruel stepmother, indeed." (93)

Internet Quote:

 "Ruiz de Burton's work is considered to be a precursor to Chicano literature, giving the perspective of the conquered Mexican population that, despite being granted full rights of citizenship by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, was a subordinated and marginalized national minority." (Wikipedia search Maria Ruiz De Burton)

Summary:

I thought this quote perfectly stated the anguish and anger of the Californios over the atrocities they faced in keeping and protecting their land, even though they are citizens. The Don's offer for the crooked gentlemen is a great deal, in which everyone greatly benefits, however it is at first disregarded because of the dishonorable gentlemens stubborness and greed. Only after the Don shares his secrets and experience of the land then do the  greedy gentlemen finally accept his deal. 

Personal Opinion:
These laws must of been harsh and very cruel towards the Mexicans because the deals the Don makes to keep some of his land and his cattle are incredible. Ruiz De Burton writes about the Californio's population as capable, cultured, intelligent people who were "unjustly deterritorialized, and becoming economically robbed, liguistically oppressed, and politically marginalized." The story of  "The Squatter and The Don" is a great piece of writing that depicts the Californio's families lossing land due to squatters and litigation. I think the lost of land by Mexicans in California is still till this day very downplayed and the portions of the novel i read gives great insight and perspective of the Californio's people.