Alicia,

A couple of things: the book you refer to deals with a much earlier
period of Mexico's history. La Antorcha Encendida has to do with the
Independence period.

Your review of Baltazar Dorantes de Carranza's book, "Sumaria
Relación" taken from its introduction threw me a little off balance
with all those adjetives applied to the creoles like "lazy arrogant
vagrants", etc.

I have that same book and the text itself is definitely not about
that. In fact, Dorantes de Carranza was himself a descendant of one
of the conquistadors and he was among those who asked for some
concessions, so how could he judge so harshly his own peers? It is
obvious that generalizations like those in your review can lead to a
wrong impression.

For another perspective on that matter I recommend Mazzotti's article
"Resentimiento criollo y nación étnica".
http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~icop/resentimientocriollo.html

Victor

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, Alicia Carrillo <alliecar@p...> wrote:
>
> Steve,
>    
>   I wonder if these historical novelas may relate to what I am
reading in a book titled; Sumaria Relacion de las Cosas de la Nueva
España.
>   This book in addition to documenting the names of the early
conquerors of New Spain describes life in the 16th century. It tells
how the creoles, the sons and grandsons of the early conquerors
adopted a false sense of aristocracy refusing to take on any
meaningful, gainful employment. Instead they opted to try to put
pressure on the Marquis or Viceroy who had all but ignored them to see
if they could or would be given land grants or land holdings as their
fathers or grandfathers had been granted. 
>    
>   They suffocated the Viceroy with letters and pleas for positions
of authority within the government. They submitted many letters
expounding their personal merits without proving it through their
deeds and actions. They were disdainful of gainful employment,
commerce or menial labor even though they were lacking concessions or
land grants. If the Viceroy or Marquis did issue any jobs or titles
the Creoles just overwhelmed and suffocated the government that all
but ignored them.
>    
>   They became lazy arrogant vagrants with nothing left but a false
sense of aristocracy believing that because of their proud lineage, it
afforded them a certain right and given apptitude. When the new
Spaniards arrived they became envious and suspicious of the new
arrivals who were willing to work in commerce, the land and whatever
was available. From this hard work and dedication these new arrivals
earned a comfortable living doing the work that the early settlers of
ancestry and lineage of the early conquerors were unwilling and
disdainful of doing. The Creoles would ridicule the new Spaniards with
their lies, bravado and arrogance telling tales of wealth, riches and
embellishing their lineage, and so the hate and envy began.
>    
>   While I have not seen the novelas I do recall years ago seeing
snippets of just such scenarios in some movies when we would go to the
Mexican theatre with my parents in downtown San Jose as small
children. It would be interesting to hear from those who have seen the
novelas to see if this might be the script or if it is something other
than this.
>    
>    
>   Feliz Navidad to all..............Alicia Avelar Olmos de Carrillo
>   
> "Steve G. Apodaca" <sgapodaca@y...> wrote:
>   The conversation about historical novelas got my attention. I 
> remember that several years ago, when I still lived in Mexico, I 
> watched some episodes of a historical soap opera.
> 
> It was called "La antorcha encendida". I did not watch it often 
> because it came out late at night and I had to go to bed early. 
> Still, the few episodes that I saw were very interesting. The story 
> was about a ficticious gachupin family from Mexico in the early 
> 1800's. They described what the fictitious characters went through 
> during the independence movement and was based on real events. Many 
> historical figures came out on the story, and I was particularly 
> amazed when I saw the scene showing how father Miguel Hidalgo was 
> captured and killed. Other independence leaders, like Morelos, were 
> also part of the story.
> 
> Anyways, I did a google search and found out that the series is 
> available on dvd at amazon:
> 
> 
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009XRZQ0/102-1725244-9552917?
> v=glance&n=130
> 
> I'm planning on buying it in the near future. I think it is worth the 
> $36 it costs.
> 
> Saludos,
> 
> Steve Apodaca
> 
> 
> 
> 
>     
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