I have found it very interesting throughout my reading of The Squatter and the Don how María Amparo Ruiz De Burton has used this literary work to somewhat criticize and shed a light on society and also important institutions in our society such as the government. What was brought to my attention as I was reading the second part was how the author makes a case to criticize and mention the way that government works. Many parts in the book are dedicated in criticizing the way government and legislation works in Washington. For example, this is shown when George Melchin is witnessing the decision making for the construction of the Texas Pacific Railroad that is viewed as vital to the economy and livelihood of the people in California. To their misfortune they lose much optimism and pride in their institution and identity as an American citizen. Having trust and pride in your system is part of your identity as a citizen and being patriotic to your country. As George Mechlin is sitting in the House of Representatives with his uncle listening to the politicians who are supposedly working for the people and for the greater good of the country he comes to realize that it is the exact opposite. In reality these lawmakers are not conscientious of the effects their laws have on the citizens as they are purely interested in their relationship with other politicians and the people who truly govern them the ones who control the votes being the elites who have a major say in the governance of the country. They have no sense of responsibility or morality towards their constituents rather they have it for those who are willing to offer some kind of monetary reward to them.

Another point of interest for me in the book is how racism in society is addressed. This is clearly seen in the way the Californio landowners, these being Don and his family are treated by the squatters. It is clear that the squatters have no respect for them whatsoever. The discriminatory and disrespectful treatment towards the Californio landowners increases and is exemplified even more when the squatters learn that the appeal has been dismissed and there is no dispute whatsoever about the validity of the title of Don Mariano’s land. It infuriates them how a population that they see as the conquered ones can own more land than the rightful inhabitants of the country, the Americans. Their pride and feeling of being of the superior race has taken a hit as this racial group which they view as inferior, incompetent, ignorant and lazy has won a case that benefits and validates their equal ownership to land in the country.

In The Squatter and the Don, María Amparo Ruiz de Burton uses the storyline to educate the readers on life after and the effects of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo for Mexicans. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which marked the end of the Mexican-American War meant that many Mexicans would go through an identity and cultural change. Those who decided to stay and live on their lands in the new territories of the United States suffered many changes, ill-treatment and discrimination. These territories which were once their homeland and representation of their identity started going through changes, therefore, they had to become accustomed to the customs, ways of thinking, laws and people of their new country.

Through this time of change Mexicans were forced to fight and prove the right for their lands, protect their identity and become accustomed to a place where their power and importance was not respected. Once Mexico signed the treaty with the United States, the Mexicans who stayed on these lands had no protection whatsoever from their own nation and were forced into a circumstance of displacement and uncertainty. It is interesting how Ruiz de Barton uses a classical story of romance in order to explain and mask historical content within it. She creates a story involving distinct characters to make the reader understand the consequences and life after the signing of the treaty in a more personal perspective.

It is interesting how the land and space create somewhat of a relationship between the Don and the squatter and also play a role in demonstrating the ill treatment Mexicans received after the transfer of lands from Mexico to the United States. Throughout the first twenty chapters it is evident how the laws that referred to land ownership did not take into consideration the Mexicans that owned their lands from before the treaty. The law enabled it to make it easier for the squatters to take over a property without taking into consideration its rightful owner. The laws worked to benefit the Anglos and in lessening the power and land control of the Mexicans. The Anglos have no respect for the original inhabitants and even go as far as criticizing Don Mariano and implying that these inhabitants do not know how to do business well and take good care of their lands. These divisive laws create a clear division between the two nationalities and their position in society and the law. I look forward in continuing this novel and examining how two coasts and two distinct nationalities start to coexist and form relationships together.

-Stephanie

Hi, I’m Stephanie Kletas. I’m a fourth year student studying a major in Spanish and a minor in Latin American Studies. I am from Vancouver and have lived all my life here. Being part Mexican and having been exposed to the culture from a young age has made me highly interested in learning about Latin American culture, literature and politics. I am looking forward to this class as I will be exposed to another group of authors with a different cultural background that I have never been exposed to. It will be interesting to read and learn about Latino communities and how they have created their identity, culture and community in the United States.