Of the three stories that we read for class today, I was most intrigue by “The Mexican”. This I think is for several reasons.
The dual story line that isn’t revealed to the end definitely increases interest throughout, it was especially awesome that we get to hear the perspective of his “manager” and of the rest of the Junta, and how they both see him as this mystery boy, who shows up dedicated for a couple weeks, disappears and then comes back. Not only did we get to see the perspective of the people observing Rivera, but in the end we finally know what Rivera is thinking, we finally understand his motives as every piece of the puzzle is slowly revealed to us. This revealing of course begins with his fights, but then is further explained in his flashbacks before and during his fight with Danny. The reader finally understands why he has become a boy so full of hate, only functioning for the purpose of the Revolution-- a Revolution against those who murdered his family.
I think this might be the first that I’m in love with the way they use naturalism in a story. I can appreciate naturalism, but I have never felt the gravity of it until this story. Rivera, who was built to fight, who was born, determined to fight for this money to buy the guns for the revolution. He is, unbeknownst to everyone at the fight, made for this kind of fighting, and despite his hatred of it, he sees it as the best way to help the revolution. Everyone in the Junta is driven for this revolution, but only Rivera has the power to earn $5,000 in one night. It is the qualities that he was born with and the qualities that I imagine he creates that give him this unique ability, anyone else would have been psyched out by the wait he must endure for Danny, anyone else would be disheartened by a crowd, a referee and even a second who is against his, but Rivera is able to use all of these things to increase his drive and inspiration to win.
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| This is how I imagine Rivera, only more hate in his eyes. |
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| This is how I imagine Danny only with smile cemented on his face. |
I agree, I think the way that this story was written was fantastic. It lays out goal, motives, and tension all very well. And Rivera reminds me of the Driver character in Drive because of his silent but dangerous look about him.
ReplyDeleteChris Kiick
I love that you added the pics on here =) I'm in agreement with you on the effects of naturalism in this story. Rivera really had no chance with the environment he grew up in, and it seemed like fate that he end up in the ring fighting for more than money or glory but for the survival of the revolution.
ReplyDeleteNaturalism in general doesn't really appeal to me because I'm a happy story happy ending sort of girl, but i appreciate the effect it has in London's stories.
Melissa Juhnke
It's an interesting sort of naturalism, because while Rivera is "made" to fight, he hates and resists it unless he has a higher purpose, something the "human beasts" of naturalism rarely seem to have.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with liking how naturalism is used in this story. I am a fan of naturalism stories generally so this was my cup of tea. I like how it was set up that no one is especially likeable but you root for the better option of the two because you can see his goals and want him to get to it, even if it wouldn’t necessary have a positive effect on anyone.
ReplyDeleteAshina, I agree that it is an interesting take on naturalism. Rivera was “made” to fight, but not in the true sense of being a born fighter. The crowd does not see him as standing a chance because he is a small boy; he does not look the part of a fighter. He is a good fighter because he can take a beating, which has to do with the fact that he has had lived a hard life and that he is fighting for more than just money. The fact that he does not like fighting, but is fighting anyway, is born out of his determination. Thus, it seems more like environment (the events in his life such as the murder of his parents and the need for money) and less like an inborn ability makes him such a dedicated and great fighter. He has nothing to lose, and no one can beat that.
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