In this first part of the book, I have appreciated how there are specific aspects of the Tejano and the Mexican culture that shows the reader more than a story. It is possible to analyze the political and historical matters that were lived at the Rio Grande border. But, it is also possible to see the folklore and the vibrant music history of Mexicans and Tejanos. In a way, the corrido of Gregorio Cortez is a demonstration of the culture in this part of the border. The story itself contains many demonstrations of how specific aspects of culture interfere in the story. For example, the fact that the Gregorio Cortez`s story was transmitted orally by singing the corridors, let us see powerful dynamics of the legends and traditions of the populations who inhabited the counties near the Rio Grande border.
The story presents Gregorio Cortez as a hero and a legend. In this way, the character of Gregorio Cortez is a rebel who tries to dignify the Mexicans, by imposing his craftiness and abilities to fight the rangers and Tejano sheriffs (who in turn represent all the injustices and discrimination that have affected the Mexicans in the Rio Grander border). Gregorio Cortez is also a hero that is able to do things impossible for a simple human being. He is able to always hit the target when shooting, to tame even the toughest mare, to travel large distances leaving several sheriffs behind; he was able to obtain the empathy of many Mexicans, and he was even able to awaken the love of the daughter of a president of the United States. One more thing that I found kind of funny in the story was that once he was incarcerated, it was not because of him murdering the sheriffs, but because he stole a mare.
All these unbelievable and ‘powerful’ abilities of Gregorio Cortez do not fit with how a ‘normal’ human being should behave. That’s why I think about Gregorio Cortez, as a kind of legend created and transmitted by the people of the Rio Grande in their ballads and corridos. The story of Gregorio Cortez, including all the marvelous things he overcomes, has many kinks to be considered. Maybe in reality, Gregorio Cortex indeed existed, but much of the marvelous things he is able to do, could be part of the legend people have created about him.
Pamela Chavez
“All these unbelievable and ‘powerful’ abilities of Gregorio Cortez do not fit with how a ‘normal’ human being should behave.”
This is true: part of being a “hero” is precisely that Cortez is presented as an exceptional character. But the other side of things is that the people telling (or hearing) his tale also have to be able to identity with him. In some ways he has to be typical, he has to be like them.
In short, the paradox of the hero is that he is both extraordinary and normal. He shares the feelings and attitudes of the Border peoples, but is able to manage or act upon them them in ways that they can only dream.
In other words, I think we see again a tension here between realism (but of *course* the Rangers would suspect a Mexican of being a horse thief) and fantasy (the wild ride, taking out so many sheriffs en route).
Really interesting thoughts Pamela! It is true that not only is this book touching on the historical and political aspects near the US/Mexico border, the Rio Grande but it is also touching on a very important cultural aspect of Mexico, the corridos. These corridos from long before and still today have a special place in the country’s culture and its people. They represent a sense of connection and identity for the Mexican people in remembering an icon that brings them together and in dedicating it to someone special for their history and identity.