Genre
Mexican Literature
Setting and Context
Mexico during the Civil War
Narrator and Point of View
Although the points of view of each of the characters is represented the main perspective is that of the Old Gringo, an American who travels to Mexico in search of Pancho Villa.
Tone and Mood
Autocratic, violent, fatalistic, romantic, optimistic.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The Old Gringo is the protagonist; Arroyo is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict in the novel is the Mexican Civil War.
Climax
Harriet returns to America with a changed mind about Mexico.
Foreshadowing
Arroyo's need to control everything foreshadows his sexual relationship with Harriet.
Understatement
Harriet is said to have renovated the hacienda but this understates the impact this has on her life and the way it enables her to connect with the country and see the people of Mexico in a new light.
Allusions
The novel alludes to the events of the Mexican civil war.
Imagery
N/A
Paradox
Harriet claims that she is allowing a sexual relationship with Arroyo in order to save the Gringo's life, but he came to Mexico in order to die and does not want to be saved.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between Arroyo's success as a revolutionary leader and his descent into becoming like a dictator.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
"Mexico" is the word used to collectively describe the citizens of the country.
Personification
N/A
