The second part of the Squatter and the Don brings certain misfortunes for the families residing on the San Diego county. The biggest of these misfortunes is the denial to construct the Texas Pacific Railroad. Indeed, this decision meant an important economic loss for the Alamar and the Mechlin families, who were expecting the approval of this construction for guaranteeing their economic future. Much of the thematic and conversations in this part of the book revolve around the construction of the railroad. Business and money are two topics that are continuously touched in this story as well. One of the reasons for which these families talk a lot about money and business is because all of them are considerably wealthy. They seek for the continuation of their business, and in so doing they relate to each other, marry each other and start new business together with the hope of increasing their earnings. However, the construction of the railroad also represents for all these families an incredible amount of inconveniences with the political and legal authorities in charge of such duties. Corruption, bribery, legal injustices, false promises, etc, are the kind of things they have to face in their attempt to get the railroad done. San Diego county is relegated as a place not worthy yet of trading or taking important commercial decisions.

Another important and prevalent theme in this second part of the story is honour. Honour is presented as a pivotal ingredient for the dignity of families and also for each of their individual members. For instance, we can see honour at play when Mr.Darrell get so furious with his son and his wife; once he discover they have paid Don Mariano for the land without his authorization. He got so angry he wanted to hurt Don Mariano; yet, he was unlucky and it was he the one who resulted harmed. All this was such a pain in his pride, that he suffered all this alone, denying himself the option to get love and care from his own wife. Moreover, we can also see how important is honour for Mercedes`mother, who advise her daughter that the most appropriate thing to do will be to postpone her marriage with Clearance, due to the atrocities Mr. Darrell has said about her. The squatters also try to conserve their honour by doing almost the impossible for acquiring the land of Don Mariano as of their own. When they feel threatened, they attack in order to maintain their honour. For example, Mathews usually shoots Don Mariano`s cattle, and he even shot George in a fit of anger.

These are the two topics I see recurrent in the second part of the book. Love, of course, still appears in the story together with all the legal matters; but these were topics I already talked about in the last blog.

Pamela Chavez.