Mariano Azuela’s book The Underdogs can give readers deep insights into the experiences of people who were affected by the Mexican Revolution. The author looks at a group of rebels who choose to fight against the government troops. These people can differ in terms of their social status, income, and reasons for joining the rebellion. Yet, there is one thing that they have in common; in the course of their struggle, they commit cruel and violent acts that make them very similar to their oppressors. Moreover, they have to face bitter disappointment with the results of their struggle. This is the main argument that should be examined closely.
One should first look at the people who have decided to join the gang led by Demetrio Macías. For example, one can speak about Luis Cervantes. He is an educated person who believes that the goal of the revolution is to liberate people from their slavery. This is how he formulates the goal of this rebellion, “The revolution is for the benefit of the poor, the ignorant, those who have been slaves all their lives, the miserable ones who do not know that they are miserable”1.
In other words, this individual believes that he acts for the greater good, but he cannot tell how this goal can be accomplished. In contrast, one can speak about Güero Margarito, a vicious person for whom the Revolution is a good opportunity to give vent to his cruelty. In contrast, Demetrio Macias does not take much interest in the political aspects of the Revolution. His animosity toward the state can be attributed to his enmity with a local official or cacique. These examples suggest that these people have very different backgrounds.
However, with time passing, these people become disillusioned with their struggle because they see that violence cannot bring improvements to the lives of people. For example, Demetrio Macías can fully appreciate the horror of the revolution, when he sees the body of a murdered church sexton2. This scene highlights the atrocity of this war. Additionally, it is important to remember that the characters of this book cannot integrate themselves into the community. For instance, Luis Cervantes chooses to leave the country, while Macias continues to fight and perishes. The demise of this character ends the novel and it symbolizes the tragedy of the revolution and its devastating impact on the life of individuals and families.
Again, one can argue that the most important detail is the disappointment that the characters experience. They see that the suffering and struggle of Mexican people during the revolution have not resulted in the creation of a harmonious society. This is probably the main theme of this work.
Overall, one can argue that The Underdogs is an excellent source that enables readers to learn more about the lives of people during the Mexican Revolution. The author can show that various people could have been attracted to the political upheaval. Moreover, some of them could believe that the rebellion against the government might bring improvements in the lives of people. However, they soon lost their sense of purpose. By looking at the behavior of the main characters and their experiences, the readers can better understand the course and effects of the revolution. These are the main points that can be made.
Bibliography
Azuela, Mariana. The Underdogs: Pictures and Scenes from the Present Revolution: a Translation of Mariano Azuela’s Los De Abajo With Related Texts. Translated by Gustavo Pellon. New York: Hackett Publishing, 2006.
Footnotes
- Mariano Azuela, The Underdogs with Related Texts, trans. Gustavo Pellon (Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing Company, 2006), 15.
- Mariano Azuela, The Underdogs with Related Texts, trans. Gustavo Pellon (Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing Company, 2006), 61.