Introduction

At the end of the US-Mexico War it was clear to the Mexican (and now Mexican-American) population living north of the newly formed border, the Rio Grande, that their lives would change drastically. After the United States claimed the northern part of Mexico in 1848 through the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, there was a moment of confusion for Mexican-Americans. A wave of mixed feelings developed such as feelings of nostalgia and of not belonging. Meanwhile, the Americans acted seemingly with hate as they claimed everything from the new land for themselves. In what ways were the lives of Mexican-Americans changed? This is a question that Jovita Gonzalez attempts to portray in her novel Caballero. Jovita Gonzalez, having lived through similar circumstances in Texas, was forced to move from her hacienda. She was a well educated woman having received her education in part from the University of Texas and was deeply involved in folkloric studies. Through her novel Caballero we can know her unique perspective on Texas history and also on period in which northern Mexico became United States.

Caballero presents a timeless story of love, family, duty and pride. As a 'Historical Novel,' it is set beginning in 1846, a key time in Texas history, just as the Anglo-Americans (the 'Americanos' or 'Gringos') began to push aggressively for extending the southern border of the United States in Texas to the Rio Grande. Jovita Gonzalez uses her novel as a platform on which to establish an existing Mexican culture and society that displays tradition, sophistication and autonomy prior to the invasion of the Americans. Through this she is able to target the popular vision among historians and her fellow Folklorists that focused on Texas history as beginning in 1848 and is able to hint at the rich cultural histories and traditions that extend far before that point in time. She is also able to combat an image of the backwards and primitive Mexican saved by American growth and speculation and shows instead their perspective, often ignored, as proud Mexicans who, after generations of love and work for the land, see their way of live crumble before their eyes. Finally, the novel Caballero acts as an excellent resource through which to analyze various aspects of Mexican society as it existed prior to and during the American invasion including gender roles, marriage, tradition, duty, patriarchy, and socio-economic class relations.

--Continue to: Overview of "Caballero"--