Ernesto’s connection with nature was something that was evident throughout the book. In particular, his view of the river as an entity really stood out to me. To me, it represents the tension that exists in his life between his connection with the Indigenous peoples and his white identity. It was interesting to me how he essentially would pray to the river, identifying it as an entity that knew him and could keep him safe, but in the same breath would place great importance in being cleansed by the priests through the Catholic church. Recognizing nature as an entity that could be prayed to, yet also depending on the judgement of the priests in the Catholic church interested me because it showed how truly complex his identity was. To me, this book presented the famous question of ‘nature vs nurture’, because first he was by nature a white presenting child, but second by nurture an “Indian”, as he was raised by them and was nurtured by them. I also loved the inclusion of the Quecha language throughout the book as well. It showed how well he was able to weave his two identities together through his use of language as well. It showed that there was true depth to his alignment with the non-white culture.
I did find it really weird how the schoolboys treated the woman though, and how she was generally called the ‘idiot’. I felt it was so strange that they were all so pious and would feel guilt for taking advantage of her, but in the same way still assault her at every chance they got. That was what was most disturbing to me I think: the normalization of assault amongst the boarders. They all just excused the behavior of Wig essentially. Like, yes, Ernesto threw dirt at him that one time, but in all there was a weird air of complacency with that sort of behavior. I think in general the way that the women were treated by the men was not okay, and it was even stranger that it was normalized.
Beyond this major flaw, I really liked the storyline. While it was slow in some cases, I felt that all of the details contributed to the culmination of the rebellion against the government. I loved the Dona, and how she led the other women when they were taking back their salt. I loved the solidarity of Ernesto in this moment, essentially advocating for them with the priest even when he was afraid. I also loved how his father embraced his identity and essentially did not try to get him to change the way he spoke or behaved.
Given that last week’s book was very ‘mother’ focused, the question I would like to ponder on is this: Would Ernesto have been different were he raised by his mother, and if she was more present throughout the book?