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.
             Throughout the novel, the soldiers had to rely on their faith and worship to get them through the hard times. It was their prayer that kept them sane and gave them the will to move toward the next battle. During this prayer however, the men were never showed to be praying to Christ. Instead, they were always calling upon the Virgin Mother to guide and protect them. "Holy Virgin mother of god! Don't let me miss this son of a bitch." (86) "The Holy Virgin, protect me." (110)
             Whether it is during battle or just laying around waiting to saddle up the horses for the next ride, the image of women, as wives of the soldiers, and their children was ...

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Mariano Azuela's "Underdogs" . (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 15:25, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/62278.html