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(2014
midterm assignment) Sample Student Midterm Answers 2014 #2b: Short Essay (Favorite Term) |
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Elisa Cortez
Syncretism in The Story of the Virgin of Guadalupe
The passage I chose to discuss is a passage from
“The Story of the Virgin of Guadalupe”.
3] Occasionally the
voices of the songsters would cease, and it appeared as if the mount responded.
The song, very mellow and delightful, excelled that of the coyoltototl*
[grackle?] and the tzinizcan* [multi-colored, dove-like bird] and of other
pretty singing birds. Juan Diego stopped to look and said to himself: “By
fortune, am I worthy of what I hear? Maybe I dream?
Am I awakening? Where am I? Perhaps I am now in the
terrestrial paradise which our elders had told us about? Perhaps I am now in
heaven?” He was looking toward the east, on top of
the mound, from whence came the precious celestial chant; and then it suddenly
ceased and there was silence. He then heard a voice from above the mount saying
to him: “Juanito, Juan Dieguito.” Then he ventured and went to where he was
called. He was not frightened in the least; on the contrary, overjoyed.
[May "elders" above refer to either church elders or
traditional Indian elders? Potential
syncretism.]
When reading this passage I see many of
cultural and literary issues that we have studied in this course. Mestizo is
person born to a mix of European and Native American.
What draws me is the fact that in the beginning
Juan Diego is described a being a poor Indian and is named Juan Diego, which is
a Spanish name.
My thought is that he has been converted to
Christianity by the Spaniards and is now deeply Christian.
What is interesting about
this passage is that it appears that he is now Christian is that he also refers
to his elders and what he was told or stories that were brought down by
generations which is a sign of origin stories that many Native Americans had
told their tribes.
His use of both Christianity and Native American
Origin stories is what is shaping his belief.
The syncretism or combination of Juan Diego’s
belief is the origin of what is now Mexico. Both Christianity and Native
American beliefs is still part of the culture of Mexico and this story of The
Virgin of Guadalupe is not only a prime example of an origin story by also an
example of the mixture of two cultures.
The description of the “dove
like bird” sounds that Juan Diego hears can be compared to what Native Americans
used to describe scenes their stories.
Then he suddenly hears a voice calling his name
“Juanito, Juan Dieguito” instead of Juan Diego; which is a way Spanish is used
to show love or affection.
The mix of the cultures is
evident in this passage and its use an origin story of Mexico is something many
people many not know about.
Mexico is a country based on European and Indian
influences based on Christianity and Native Indian cultures.
I like how this story of Virgin of Guadalupe is
still celebrated today and how the combination of two cultures is still very
much apart of the Mexico’s heritage.
