Ann Marie Elaine D. Rafael
Associate Professor Nerisa del Carmen Guevara
Literature 103
04 October 2015
Heneral Luna: An Analysis of the Quest of a Hero Heneral Luna is a movie directed by Jerrold Tarog illustrating what happened after the long reign of the Spaniards in the Philippines, specifically the events during General Luna’s quest of clashing against the American colonizers. The film exhibited Luna’s remarkable military prowess and it also revealed that his fight was not only against the foreign invaders but also with the treacherous Filipinos within their ranks and even within the Philippine Revolutionary Government. General Antonio Luna is a hero that chose to undertake the journey because he intentionally set out to fight his country’s
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They are somehow preventing themselves from overcoming their unawareness and they are not making any move to remedy that problem. Next would be the Scapegoat, and it is, in my opinion, Emilio Aguinaldo. After the death of Antonio Luna, the immediate suspect was the president himself, even though he was in another place when the murder happened. And it is unfortunate that Aguinaldo is still blamed by society for the death of his comrade to this day, because until now, historians are still debating about the real culprit behind the crime. Next, the Creatures of Nightmare, or the minions of the Devil Figure, would be Pedro Janolino and the other men who contributed to the slaying of Antonio Luna. The movie also had its Woman Figures, particularly the Earthmother and the Temptress. The Earthmother is Doña Laureana Luna, Antonio Luna’s mother. Her appearance in the film was quite short but it was still very meaningful. She said consoling words to Luna when he needed it the most—it is very evident that even with his tough and arrogant persona, he is vulnerable and still needs his mother’s assurance. Now, the Temptress is Isabel, a woman that Luna was romantically involved with. Isabel is a member of the Red Cross and we can see in the movie that she is independent and does not need the support of Luna, unlike other women who need the constant presence of men in their lives. That is why I think she fits the archetype of the Temptress perfectly. Last but not the least the Hero of the movie is General Antonio Luna. He has gone beyond the normal range of achievement and experience (Campbell). He has done something phenomenal. And even though some may say that he is a clown because he did not accomplish his quest, I will still firmly state that he is a true hero—he just did not get to finish his adventure because of his assassination at the hands of his own, treacherous
In analyzing portrayals of women, it is appropriate to begin with the character of Margarita. For, within the text, she embodies the traditionally masculine traits of bravery, resilience, and violence as a means of liberating herself from an existence of abuse and victimhood. Even more, the woman plays upon stereotypes of femininity in order to mask her true nature. The reader witnesses this clever deception in a scene where the character endures a “wholesome thrashing” from her huge, violent, and grizzly bear-like husband, Guerra (81). Although Margarita “[submits] to the infliction with great apparent humility,” her husband is found “stone-dead” the next morning (81). Here, diction such as “submits” and “humility” relate to the traits of weakness, subservience and inferiority that are so commonly expected of women, especially in their relationships with men. Yet, when one
Diaz was proud of what he and his fellow conquistadors had accomplished. By writing about his accounts of the conquest he hoped to receive some recognition and reward from Spain. The possibility of power, and economical growth motivated these writings. But it was not all about money for him. He was a hard working man who wanted everyone to know his and his fellow conquistadors true achievements.
Bill Moyers once said, “What's right and good doesn't come naturally. You have to stand up and fight for it - as if the cause depends on you, because it does.” He is absolutely right. People have to fight for what they want and what they believe in to get what they want. One can’t just get things you want for free, people have to work for them. In the story 90 Miles to Havana, by Enrique Flores-Galbis, The theme of the novel is to stand up for yourself and what you believe in.
In The Underdogs written by Mariano Azuela, the protagonist, Demetrio Macias is symbolized as the fuel of the Mexican Revolution. Heroes like Macias gave hope to the oppressed people of Mexico by fighting for what they felt they truly deserved, but, ironically, later becomes what he was fighting against. He does show great leadership and determination to oppress Pancho Villa's army. Pancho Villa, the dictator of Mexico during this revolutionary time, also shows prolific leadership qualities and care for his people; much like Demetrio Macias. However, at times Villa can be a ferocious general who destroyed villiages and killed innocent victims, he shows his compassion who helped those in need and rescued orphans providing them with food, education, and a home. Pancho Villa was a leader who only asked for your loyalty and trust, but was cruel when people tried to oppose him. Venustiano Carranza was another great leader that was a natural at commanding his followers through the struggle of liberty. He did not show any lack of a
Restall answers his own questions present in the introduction by focusing each chapter on a different myth. Chapter one discusses that the men who partook in conquest were valiant, rich, and outstanding. This idea gives credit to both the Spanish interpretation and the beautifully rugged men cast in Hollywood adaptations. The author notes, additionally, that the myth
Knowing that the Texans were not obeying Mexico’s laws, the Mexican President sent Antonio López de Santa Anna to fight and stop the revolting Texans. “Santa Anna gained his earliest military experience fighting for the Spanish army
He joined Discovery missions, and there he reached Panama, during that time he did what he wants from violence works under the name of religion, but in fact, it was with the aim of wealth and power. Francisco Pizarro cooperated with Diego Almagro, and he becomes his partner, they torment the people of the country and especially the Native Americans. They were treated in an undescribed violence way, such as cutting the legs and hands while the people are alive. During that period, Francisco Pizarro was living in a peace and comfort, but he was greedy and want more. Therefore, he sailed from Panama to the Pacific Ocean. When he reached there his soldiers refuse to continue, so they asked Panama governor, to send them ship to return. And when the ship came Francisco Pizarro was surprised, so he draws a line to see who will stay with him and who will have left, 13 out of 160 men stay with Pizarro, and this event was known as the famous thirteen. He reached the Peru and from here the story begin. (The Most Evil Men In History - Francisco
Villa’s exploits on and off the battlefield have broadened into legends that remain an integral part of Mexican history and folklore, especially as a champion of the poor and landless. (Johnson)
Antonio Marez- A young boy who is torn between his parents: a Marez and a Luna. But with the help of Ultima, he discovers his own destiny. He thirsts for knowledge: he is a curios boy, an outstanding student, and a questioning worshiper.
There were many conflicts that were more significant in terms of gains, losses, and casualties than that of Villa’s raid of Columbus, New Mexico. Upon hearing that the nearby town of Columbus, New Mexico was lightly garrisoned, Mexican revolutionary Francisco “Pancho” Villa ordered what remained of his army to attack the small farming town. His well-earned reputation had been seriously damaged by this point considering recent losses that devastated his army, having both the Mexican and American governments after him, and by crossing into the United States he unknowingly made it certain that an end to his leadership within Mexico was inevitable.
This stage is just all of the trials and tribulations that the “hero” has to endure, and all the people who they come across. The looting of towns, more rebellions breaking out, Tejanos and more joining the fight, and small battlesall represent this stage of challenges. Eventually, these battles and revolts escalate, similarly to the approach stage of the Hero’s Journey. All of this leads on to the stage of ordeal, death, rebirth. The capture and subsequent execution of Father Hidalgo and his successor Ignacio Allende, the bloody Battle of Medina, and the invasion of Nuevo Santander by General Arredondo all represent this stage. This stage is accompanied by the next stage, seizing the sword/reward. This stage is best represented by José María Morelos y Pavón, who took over after Hidalgo and Allende were both gone. Morelos was able to draft a clear and official declaration of independence. Unfortunately, he was unable to garner enough support to stay leader for very long, representing the road back stage. At this point, the rebellion was not looking very good. It seemed as if Spain had won out, but in 1820, Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente R. Guerrero came together and created the Plan de Iguala, a plan that garnered lots of approval. This represents the resurrection, when the hero ultimately is able to succeed. After this stage, the conclusion begins falling in place. The signing of the treaty of Cordoba represents return with the elixir, and the Hero’s Journey comes to an
Hernando Cortes was one of the bravest military leaders of all time. Born in Medellin, Spain, he was a Spanish Conquistador who conquered most of Central America. He also gave Spain three-hundred years of control over Mexico. Cortes started exploring in the early 1500’s. He explored to find riches and conquered by being observant of the natives. With a small army, he conquered the Aztec Empire. Cortes went to the university in Salamanca, Spain. He attended the university to study Latin and Law. Unfortunately, Cortes completed only two years of school. He returned to his family in Medellin, Spain. However, life became boring for him. Nevertheless, Christopher Columbus inspired Cortes to explore the New World. Finally, Cortes was able to
The author Julia Butterfly Hill book is a personal reference of the adversity she overcame when faced with saving a part of nature, a part of what defines her, a piece of something she would never let go of. In this novel the author gives biographical evidence of not only her love of saving the redwood trees. The story begins in December of 1996, in the town of Stafford, California. There was a mudslide which was catastrophic and buried seven homes. The removal of the redwood trees was what she states to be a cause and effect of this disaster because they absorb the moisture that causes erosion. She was up against the Maxxam
The character of Demetrio Macias proves to be quite ironic. One facet of his character reveals his determination to find Pancho Villa’s army,
Mariano Azuela’s The Underdogs, is about a brotherhood of the Mexican people taking a journey with only one thing on their mind; revenge against Huerta and the Federales. In this story, we as the reader are confronted with characters, such as Demetrio Macias, who is destined to lead his people into the depths of retaining an incorrupt lifestyle and hopes to find peace from the effect of war. Although Demetrio is seen as one of the main characters in the novel, we are also briefly engaged in the other revolutionary forces under Pancho Villa, Carranza, Obregon, and by peasants under Zapata. These appositional forces gain strength against the Huerta government as well. The Underdogs almost symbolizes a Robin Hood story, in which, Demetrio and