Posted by Anthony Ferro on March 21, 192003 at 18:10:47:
The Texans
I as unable to decipher the Spanish description prior to “The Texans”, a fact that did not dampen my interest in trying to investigate the intriguing overlapping of loyalties held by the characters. In my attempt to clarify the political and personal agendas of the cast, I developed the following simplified scenario:
McLeod-General from the Republic of Texas-white man knows all, mission to dominate any other race
Navarro-McLeod’s American Indian Guide??-employed by the white man-secures existence by serving
Indian-self-ambitious-willing to sell information for material goods be it white man or Mexican
Manuel Armijo-Mexican General
Don Jorge Ramirez- Mexican spy/informant
Not clear on: Who is the Italian?, Who is Archuleta?
The rhyming couplet form is used well in the poem-play (a new meter in our studies). As mentioned above, the fascinating aspect of the work is its ability to express a hierarchy of ethics within each marginalized culture. I sometimes found it extremely difficult to distinguish the characters’ moments of self-service and moments of demonstrating national ideal. [This would become clearer with the intent of the director.] I did find actions among the “indigenous” cast blending into a veiled labyrinth of espionage. Only the mission of the two generals McLeod and the non-present Armijo are clearly defined.
A moment of the play I would like to bring to our attention:
Don Jorge:
Ever-false and lying Indian
Do you dare to thus profane
Every confidence and duty
Which to everyone is right
To keep hidden in his bosom
Though by death he’s scared outright?
Indian:
Be not angry, Sir, I tell you
For it’s hard not to confess
When those with you threaten you
With a pistol at your chest
I am aware both these figures are at the mercy of the white gun, but at this particular moment, the deep animosities and complexities of the relationship are magnified. Though Native American Indian and Mexican historically cherish non-ownership of the Earth, they are caught in the perpetuating white dogma of territorial possession. In this case, they defeat McLeod, unfortunately, we are aware of future outcomes.