The character of this truly wonderful man was nothing more than a natural production of the country in which he lived, acting upon certain peculiar circumstances favorable to such a result, and, consequently, his individual history is a part of the most valuable history of the State.
The author confirms the notion of Joaquin Murieta being an anti-hero; a good and honorable man who was pushed into becoming a villain by the world he came to live in, and by the unjust treatment and violence he had to suffer by the hand of his fellow men. His is an important story because it speaks of his time, and warns against prejudice and dehumanization of those who are different. His story goes in favor of the idea that most villains are made instead of born.
Twice broken up in his honest pursuit of fortune, he resolved still to labor on with unflinching brow and with that true moral bravery, which throws its redeeming light forward upon his subsequently dark and criminal career.
The story tries to show that it took a long time for Murieta to become the vicious villain that he is known as. He started out as an honest young man in search of fortune. Even after facing degradation and injustice he still tried to go on his moral path. It took a lot to brake his moral, and only after suffering the immense cruelty did he become a monster seeking revenge.
He had committed deeds which made him amenable to the law, and his only safety lay in persistence in the unlawful course which he had begun.
Once turning towards the dark path there is no turning back. This is what happened to Murieta. At first, he solely wanted to seek revenge for his brother and his lover, but later on realized that he can't just go back to where he started, which in turn only resulted in the richer justification of his villainous reputation.
