Mariano Azuela's "Underdogs"
In many novels, no matter what the subject matter might be, you always have a main theme accompanied by numerous underlying themes. This of course is present on Mariano Azuela's novel, "The Underdogs". This novel examines the political and historical realities in Mexico as well as the social aspect of a civil war. War, the main theme in this story, is supported by themes of power, social class, corruption, justice, morality, and religion. The most important underlying theme though has to be that of the portrayal of women. Azuela uses this war time atmosphere to describe just how important women in Mexico were at that time. Whether they were a part of the battles, or just a faint memory in a soldiers mind, the Mexican women ha a major impact on the revolution. Women in general, were portrayed in three ways through out the story. Women were related to religion in terms of the Virgin Mother. In Agipita's hut, the Virgin Mother was held in high honor. This is displayed when her hut is being described as having, " a picture of Christ and one of the Virgin."(58) This shows the reader that in this religious society, Christ is very much respected, but the Virgin Mother is placed on the same level of worship as Christ himself.
When she is introduced, it is done so that she is portrayed as an outsider trying to make her way in. The relationship developed between Camilla and Demetrio so much that Camilla had almost been portrayed to b dominant over Demetrio. Demetrio had decided to get rid of War Paint, but she would not be sent away without a fight. As in all relationships, Demetrio and Camilla are having problems. She is invited by another man to sit and have a drink with them. "My wife! My children! Please Senor Don Demetrio, my friend!" (104) The use of women and children as salvation can only suggest one thing. "War Pint spurred her black horse and with one jump was abreast with Demetrio. The images of woman portrayed by Azuela can mean many things. As the situation became worse between Camilla and War Paint, Camilla approached Demetrio. " Camilla can't go!" (112) War Paint is portrayed as a woman of immense strength. " (110) When Camilla backs out of the plan, War Paint's concern for Camilla and persistence in carrying out her plan against Demetrio makes her once again cry out on Camilla's behalf. Camilla is first introduced in the novel as a woman in a hut waiting to be of service to the fighting men who might need her to cook their meal or mend their wounds, but as the novel progresses, we are able to see that she is a strong woman who plays a major role in the life of Demetrio. The other soldiers are starting to look up to War Paint at this point. Not leaving anything to the imagination, she speaks her mind and tells it like it is, no matter who she might be speaking to.
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Acceptance Essays
