Spanish Colonial History of New Mexico Alluded to in Narrative:
ð references to Spanish Colonial History in the narrative are mostly of mythological character,
mainly concerning the achievements of Spanish Catholic Missionaries and their struggles with
the native population
ð “Our Spanish fathers made good martyrs” (p. 8) → Spanish Franciscans were among the first
to explore the southwest pueblo country in the 16th century and persisted in their efforts
preaching Christianity and establishing missions, though many of them suffered martyrdom
(killed by the natives) → by 1630 they had converted about 20000 Indians and established
more than 50 missions in the Rio Grande Valley
ð Great Indian Revolt of 1680 (p.152) → close to 400 settlers and 21 of 33 priests massacred by
Pueblo Indians under the leadership of Popé → missionary work was destroyed until the reconquest
of the territory by Don Diego de Vargas in 1692-93
ð Church at Àcoma → built in early 17th century by Fray Ramirez and his followers → Cather
seems to criticize this missioners through the figure of Latour , who expresses the suspicion
that Fray Ramirez let the Àcoma build the church out of his worldly ambition and not according
to the needs of the Indians [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Colonial History
- Spanish Colonial History of New Mexico Alluded to in Narrative
- Historical Personalities in Death Comes for the Archbishop
- Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy and Father Joseph Projectus Machebeuf
- Padre Antonio José Martinez
- Cather's Treatment of New Mexico 19th century History after the American Annexation
- Cather's Treatment of 19th Century Ideology
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines Willa Cather's novel, Death Comes for the Archbishop, and how the novel's portrayal of colonial and 19th-century history reflects ideological themes of the period.- The novel's treatment of Spanish Colonial history in New Mexico, particularly the influence of Catholic missionaries and their relationship with the native population.
- The impact of the American annexation of New Mexico on the lives of both missionaries and the native population.
- The complexities of cultural and religious exchange between the native population and the European colonizers.
- Cather's representation of 19th-century ideologies, including progressivism, liberalism, and the dominant ideology of race.
- The portrayal of historical figures and how their actions and motivations are shaped by the context of their time.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
This section will provide summaries of the chapters in Death Comes for the Archbishop, excluding the final chapter and any sections containing major revelations or spoilers.The early chapters focus on the arrival of Bishop Latour and Father Vaillant in New Mexico, their encounters with the native population, and the challenges they face in establishing the Catholic Church in the territory. The narrative explores the history of Spanish colonialism, the struggles of the missionaries, and the cultural clash between European and Native American traditions. Later chapters delve into the lives of the missionaries and their experiences in the expanding American West, highlighting the social and political changes taking place in the region.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary focus of this paper is the historical and ideological context of Death Comes for the Archbishop. The key terms and concepts include colonial history, Spanish influence, Catholicism, Native American cultures, American expansion, progressivism, liberalism, race relations, and historical figures such as Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy, Father Joseph Projectus Machebeuf, and Padre Antonio José Martinez.- Quote paper
- Jelena Vukadinovic (Author), 2003, Cather’s Treatment of Colonial and 19th- Century History and Ideology in Death Comes for the Archbishop, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/126102
