The Old Gringo: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Old Gringo" features a rich tapestry of characters set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution. Harriet Winslow, an unmarried woman seeking purpose, travels to Mexico to teach English to the Miranda family's children, motivated by a desire to escape her uninspiring life in Washington, D.C. Her journey becomes tumultuous as she becomes entangled with revolutionary forces and ultimately betrays a general she becomes involved with. Ambrose Bierce, the titular "old gringo," is a real-life author known for his cynicism and bitterness, who retreats to Mexico in search of adventure and perhaps redemption at the age of seventy-one. His encounter with General Tomás Arroyo, a peasant who embodies revolutionary ideals and personal vengeance, leads to a tragic turn of events. Arroyo, who initially seeks to reclaim his heritage, becomes increasingly consumed by his obsession with power. The narrative also includes the historical figure Pancho Villa, whose leadership is challenged by the murder of Bierce at Arroyo's hands, forcing him into a difficult political situation. Together, these characters navigate themes of betrayal, identity, and the complexities of revolution, making for a compelling exploration of personal and national conflicts.
The Old Gringo: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Carlos Fuentes
First published: El gringo viejo, 1985 (English translation, 1985)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Chihuahua, Mexico
Plot: Historical realism
Time: 1913–1914
Harriet Winslow, the character who “sits and remembers” the story of her adventure in Mexico. Harriet, who is unmarried, agrees to go to Mexico in the service of the Miranda family to teach English to their three children; she hopes thus to escape a stultifying existence in Washington, D.C. Arriving in Mexico, she is used by revolutionary leaders, and she finds the country in turmoil and the Miranda hacienda in ruins. She becomes involved with a revolutionary general, whom she ultimately betrays.
Ambrose Bierce (beers), the “old gringo,” a famous, real-life writer whose true identity is only gradually disclosed to the reader. Notorious for his bitterness and cynicism, Bierce has worked for the newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst for more than twenty years and now regrets having misused his talents. During the fall of 1913, Bierce retires to Mexico as a seventy-one-year-old alcoholic and asthmatic seeking Pancho Villa and the adventure of revolution. The novel makes Bierce a heroic figure but sidetracks his mission through his encounter with Tomás Arroyo, whom he serves briefly and who then murders him.
General Tomás Arroyo (toh-MAHS ah-RROY-oh), a simple peasant who symbolizes Hispanic virility and machismo. Arroyo is driven by revolutionary idealism and a personal quest for revenge against Miranda, whose bastard son he is. After his army takes over the Miranda estate, however, Arroyo begins to think of the Miranda lands as his own birthright and becomes obsessed with documenting his claim. As he seems to lose his revolutionary focus, the old gringo takes action to shake his complacency, and the enraged Arroyo kills him.
Pancho Villa (PAHN-choh VEE-yah), the bandit turned revolutionary leader and wily politician, another historical figure. Villa is troubled by the political crisis caused by Arroyo's murder of Bierce. Villa is forced to execute Arroyo in order to avoid an embarrassing international incident.