LITR 4232: American Renaissance
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Student Presentation, spring 2001
Reader: Joanne Hale
Discussion notes: Allison Amaya
Thursday, 29 March
"The History of the Miraculous Apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe"
"Juan Sequin"
"Mariano Vellejo"
The History of
the Virgin of Guadalupe
My presentation is based on course objective 3 – To use literature as a basis for discussing representative problems and subjects of American culture as it pertains to the readings.
The Virgin of Guadalupe is the first subject of this presentation. The original version of the story was published in the Aztec language of Nahuatl in 1649, approximately 100 years after the event, according to our Anthology on page 475. The story is essentially a Mexican/American oral tradition.
Representative literature, by definition, crosses many lines and plays an important role in American Renaissance literature. In our handout on the changing idea of the American Renaissance the definition of Renaissance is a "culture on the rise". The inclusion of alternative representative literature in the study of the American Renaissance period adds to our concept of literature by providing us with a unique perspective into the lives of Americans by letting us hear their voice.
The Virgin of Guadalupe symbolizes the crossing of boundaries. The role of the Virgin Mary is one of a mediator. She not only acts as a bridge between mortal man and God but also between religions and race. She is a feminine figure who is associated with the struggle for civil rights but at the same time she represents traditional Catholic family values. She is the symbolic mother of all Catholics as well as the Native American Virgin Mother whose attributes include dark skin and Indian features.
Examples from the readings:
I then discussed the Virgin of Guadalupe from a handout I printed off of the Internet. It told of the origin of the name Guadalupe comes from the Aztec language of Nahuatl, "coatlaxopeuh", meaning to crush.
Voices
from the Southwest
The background of Juan Seguin:
He served as a captain in the Texas Calvary. Following the Texas rebellion he served in the Texas senate in 1838 where he argued for laws to be published in both Spanish and English. He was elected mayor of San Antonio in 1841 but was forced to flee to Mexico with his family after he received threats from Anglos based on rumors that he was a Mexican spy conspiring with Santa Anna.
He is an example of ambiguity. His entire life is full of double messages.
Examples from the readings:
Discussion:
The question: Why did theVirgin call herself the Virgin of Guadalupe and how does that apply to boundaries being crossed?
Keely: The story is one steeped in tradition. She appeared to the children and became this phenomenal place of worship and miracles.
Jessica: She appeared to shepherds and children actually at a dump.
Joanne: They make a point of mentioning that the shroud is made of cloth only worn by shepherds – the poor.
Person: I imagine she feels that the rich people don’t really need her help.
Joanne: Or maybe it signifies that the poor, lower classes are closer to God.
Person: It is the same as Jesus – he appears to the poor and the sick not the wealthy and rich. He is there for the needy.
Joanne: It raises the question of the level of literary significance in that if you compare this writing with that of Thoreau or Emerson, this being considered a lower form of writing. Is it really less of an art or less important because the people that wrote it and expressed it were less educated? Does it make their message less meaningful?