Samuel McDuffie
Literary Analysis
Literary Analysis
The Hunt for Revenge
John Rollin Ridge (Yellow Bird) was born in 1827 into a distinguished Cherokee family in Georgia. His father, John Ridge and grandfather Major Ridge were prosperous farmer and slaveholders. Both grandfather and father were influential leaders in the dispute over how to respond to pressure from the United States to give up Cherokee Lands and move west. He was the first Indian to publish a novel. In his work The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta, the Celebrated California Bandit is a contemporary account of California as it was settling. In the reading assigned, the reader is introduced to lawless men in California, known as bandits, and Joaquin Murieta. Joaquin Murieta is a Mexican-American bandit, who leaves behind a legacy of morals and bravery.
The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta,tells the story of the Joaquin in the Gold-rush era, wanting to find fortune and happiness; however, it turns chaotic when his family is murdered, and Joaquin only seeks revenge. Joaquin is described: His complexion was neither very dark or very light, but clear and brilliant, and his countenance is pronounced to have been, at that time, exceedingly handsome and attractive. His large black eyes, kindling with the enthusiasm of his earnest nature, his firm and well-formed mouth, his well-shaped head from which the long, glossy, black hair hung down over his shoulders, his slivery voice full of generous utterance, and the frank and cordial bearing which distinguished him made him beloved by all with whom he came in contact. The description of Joaquin illustrates him before the hurt he endured.
It is an influential piece of writing because of the complex themes: violence, culture, family, and revenge. The story tells the clashes of cultural groups that is present at the time. The story teaches an important lesson that is seem in the Joaquin’s cultural belief. He was able to gather many bandits to help him seek revenge of the men who killed his family member, signifying that wronging one person, you wrong the people who he surrounds himself with.
Hello Samuel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your analysis. Your closing statement is an interesting take away from the reading and I think it is true of many stories of revenge, "wronging one person, you wrong the people who he surrounds himself with.” Joaquin was able to rally other bandits to join him on his quest for revenge and perhaps the murderers didn't know what they had gotten into.
I was able to get a vivid image of Joaquin through the quote you included describing him before his family was murdered. I am curious if there were a contrasting description to help give an image of how Joaquin changed after the murders.
I have not had an opportunity to read this story yet, do we or did he know who murdered his family? Who was he going after for revenge or what actions did he take? Was the story as much about revenge as it was about people banning together for a cause? Did the other’s join in the revenge because they were personally connected to it or because they knew of Joaquin’s genuine, loving and caring character?
Last thing, I guess I didn't realize Native Indians had slaves. It was just never a theme I had ever put thought into. I guess I have lots more reading to do!
Cheers!
Amanda
Hey Samuel. You're analysis of the story was very interesting to read. I really liked you're interpretation of the story, it's a creative way of thinking of it. I find it interesting how the important lesson was about revenge, and how the idea of revenge is apart of Joaquin's cultural belief so it is almost completely normal for him to want to do that. I enjoyed how you closed it with that saying which is very interesting to think about because I could almost relate to that. Like if one of my family members was taken away from me I would do what I could to take revenge. You said that he gathered bandits to help him seek revenge but did it mention how he managed to hire the bandits?
ReplyDeleteHi Samuel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your analysis on this reading. I have not yet had a chance to read this one. The description of the main character gives a clear visual of who he was. It sounds as though the trauma of losing his family completely changed who he was so I would be curious to hear a description of him after his family was murdered. Especially after how his eyes were described as being filled with enthusiasm.
His dedication for revenge shows just how important his family was to him. Were the fellow bandits that helped him seek his revenge also following the same belief system or was he able to convince them to help him in another way?
Hi Samuel,
ReplyDeleteThe story you chose to analyze is very interesting. Your analysis of the possible theme of the short story is logical, and makes very good sense. Including the paragraph from the story drastically helps support your claim about the theme.