Running Head: BOOK REVIEW 1

A Book review of ″The Book of Lamentations″ by Rosario Castellanos

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BOOK REVIEW 2

A Book review of ″The Book of Lamentations″ by Rosario Castellanos

Castellanos Rosario’s “The book of Lamentations” translated by Esther Allen. Penguin

Publishers Group, Classic 20th-Century Penguin Series, 1998 Edition. Appendix, Afterword,

Introduction, Index, Itinerary, pp. 400.

The fiction novel, “The book of Lamentations," is set in the Chiapas Highlands of

Mexico and shows the Mayan Uprising or struggle for power, which resembles most of the

uprisings in the world. The book interweaves all the aspects which are related to the power

struggle in a society holding different classes of people. The novel denotes or espouses the

ambiguities which follow all battle for power between the oppressor and the victim. It shows the

brutal exploitation of the natives by the powerful and wealthy landowners. The title of the novel

was canonical-speaking to the lamentations of the Jews when the city of Jerusalem was invented

and conquered. Also, the title of the book indicates the impacts of oppression, misery, and

ignorance. The plot of the text has not followed an orderly manner in which the events took place

to the current status of the community. Rosario Castellanos uses her personal experience in

Mexico during her childhood days and the Mayan uprising of 1712 and 1868 to show the

struggle for power in the 1930s when the President of Mexico was determined to redistribute

land to the natives. For this review, the reader will examine in depth the power struggle between

the oppressor and the victims, as depicted in the book of lamentations.

To start with the outstanding characters, Fernando Ulloa, who is a government employee

entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the distribution of land to the poor natives, is

caught up between the two classes to which he owes allegiance- the masters who employed him

and the Indians whom he identifies. Fernando Ulloa is an honest land inspector whose character

faces destruction in the hands of the rich. The Indians spurred by the religious proclamations of
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Catalina Diaz, who is a childless wife to Winikton, the respected judge in the community, creates

an idol from three sacrilege rocks where religious rituals are observed. Catalina also gives the

Indians motivation and determination to fight the oppressors. Catalina's childlessness speaks to

the inability of the revolution to reach the fruitful end. Ah, how well she knew herself, how long

she had endured herself. "A childless woman. The nut that does not break open to make way for

the growth and fullness of the seed. The rock, ugly and immobile. The fist that imprisons the bird

and struggles it death rattle” (Castellanos & Allen, 1998). The indication of an evil character in

the woman, and for that reason, she could not bear her children. Her children could have gone

through difficult times because all she wanted was power over other humans.

The challenges in the community make it unbearable for people thirsty for power, and

those contented with what they have. Oppression from the Chiapan who are the whites ruling

over the Maya Indians is evidently, leading to negative impacts in the society. However, this is

not about to end because the community is growing out of the tremendous laid ignorance and

misery. The characters show a contented human in the face of desperation, ambitions, and

superstition thinking. Fortunately, the struggle between the two classes in the society is well

presented from the afterword, introduction, and the main text of the novel through a portrayal of

the conflict between Macho landowners, spiritual leaders, corrupt political leaders, and the

oppressed indigenous people. The characters represent two sides desperation where those ruling

the community are corrupt, arrogant, and vain.

On the other hand, the Indian is at all times drunk, fearful, and superstitious. The novel

creates a worth tale from characters linked to real historical events. Furthermore, the story

indicates the current status of events in the community showing the reluctance of change in these
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areas. It is an event from which people and these communities could use to make decisive

choices.

Secondly, the mythical Mayan perspective steers the novel to its conclusion. The prophet

alludes to the European conquest of Chiapas highlands in Mexico. It is noteworthy that the

victory of the Europeans is attributed to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The prophet informs the

people that after the Europeans crucified and drank the blood of the god Jesus, they were

invincible hence could not die by the bullet. “They nailed Him to a cross and killed him and

drank his blood. Ever since then, no one can beat them” (Castellanos & Allen, 1998). Their

invincibility steered the war and led to the conquest and victory over the land. The Indians

spurred by this discovery believe they will be invincible after crucifying and drinking the blood

of a god. Catalina Diaz then proclaims Domingo as the god who had come to save the chamulans

from their oppressors. Domingo was born as a result of the rape of a young Indian girl by

Cifuentes years before. Through her machinations, Catalina had arranged for the raped girl to be

married to her mentally disabled brother hence becoming the godmother to the son. However,

Catalina's intention is evil because she wants to use her prophecies and vision of the child. This

way, she will have close access to the ancient gods as well as gain the advantage of leading her

community as an illo. Domingo is crucified on a cross, and his blood drank by the Indians

initiating their earnest revolution. After the blood is drunk by the Indians, they believe in their

invincibility hence go to war. Besides, the Indians wholeheartedly believe in their prophet and

the invincibility proclamation, which is challenged by a farmer on their way to the war. The

challenge leaves a soldier dead by the bullet, an indication that the society has embraced war.

Consequently, confusion bewilders the Indians and eventually leads to their defeat.
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The Landowners are cunning and determined to hold on power regardless of the pressure

from the natives. This is a classic example of how those in power are unwilling to surrender it.

The group has continually maintained its power using the local magistrates. Corruption has

prevailed to the current times, and this has restricted any changes from the taken place in these

areas. There is no chance of making the community better, and evil is still prevailing. The

government Inspector Fernando Ulloa is un-heroic since he is denied and rejected by both the

masters and the Indians. He is left on his own and dies in the Hands of the ladino land owners

signifying the end of the revolution. He betrays the Indians and the masters hence his tragic end,

which could be reversed if a positive approach was used. Politics in the country is challenged

due to misguided politicians making it challenging to change the social norms. The political class

should manage power, but this does not happen due to corruption cases. There are cases of the

landowners bribing the local magistrates so that the oppression of the poor individuals is

continued. This is a result of un empowerment of the indigenous people of their rights and

freedom against the affluent group of people. Besides, the author has made an observation on the

laxity of women and their duty to be submissive in their homes. In response to this, she is

dissatisfied with the duty women play in society. "She was one of those women for whom the

world, her destiny, and even her personality do not reveal themselves or take on definite shape

except through amorous contact with a man."

Cifuentes leads the Ladinos, the wealthy landowners, and he is determined to win the

struggle, and indeed, he wins it with the defeat of the rebels and the death of the gritty and honest

Fernando. Unfortunately, the difference between the two groups is highly stimulated by differing

religious practices as well as language barriers between them. Some of these differences are

caused by the Ladino priest, who was caught in an attempt to destroy the tools of worship used
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by the Tzotzil. The Mayan idols destroyed were then discovered by the barren woman in the

caves where she fashions new ones for herself gains. Upon discovery, the priest returns to the

caves to destroy these idols, but this is when he meets his death from the recruited worshippers.

The novel resonates with these characters, although numerous other aspects are equally

important. The struggle of power is demonstrated by the three characters leading their people to

the fight and eventually enters the battlefield after cunningly convincing their people. Although

the Ladinos were non-Indians stood to benefit from the decisions of the land inspector, they were

threatened by the question of losing their vast estates. Therefore, the novel sets out a ground for

the war with clearly designated lines.

In conclusion, the reader comments the book of Lamentations as a classic example of the

modern times power struggle. The reader notes the myriad of events and characters created by

the omniscient third-person orator blending them to the tale. Although the novel is excellently

written, the reader points out flaws that are evident in the setting and use of the omniscient

orator. To start with, most of the events are poorly blended and show the use of unnecessary

events that do not add value to the objective of the book. The novel starts with a rape to which

the reader considers graphical and crucification, which is equally disturbing. To cap it all, the

story has a pessimistic approach to the struggle, and the author is not passionate about the

winning of the battle by the Indians who are oppressed. The pessimistic nature of the novel

speaks to the reader as an overlook and emotionless writing. Power is an instrument of change

that helps conquer or hold back what is intended. However, the novel has used the ability to

show the desperation that comes with its availability and its absence.
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Reference

Castellanos, R., & Allen, E. (1998). The book of lamentations. New York, N.Y., U.S.A.: Penguin

Books.
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