Аннотация: The Dialogue about the enigmatic book about Mexico
The Dialogue about the enigmatic book about Mexico
The Reader and the Readeress left the Gorky's cafe-library and went along the street.
- What the book did you read with such persistence? - the Readeress has taken an interest.
- A few years ago I bought a CD with the film "Revolution, I love you!" It turned out that a few small films created by the Directors, our contemporaries, natives of Mexico (?) - are united in the general movie about the modern country Mexico. This movie made me feel weird. As I can imagine now, the title combines sincere love, irony, and bitterness.
- Is this film related to the book?
- The book has made not less strange impression. At first she has made an impression of the helpless literary work, but then, approximately after her middle, I have thought that in her there are genius elements. The author is Yakov Gordin. The book "Three Wars of Benito Juárez" is called. It was published in Russian in 1984. This book describes, mainly, events of the middle of the 19th century.
- Curiously!
- Mexico from us it is far. And, perhaps, we not so know about Mexico much. When you begin to read this book, the described events seem a kaleidoscope. Chaotic set of various elements.
- But something was clear and indisputable?
- It seemed to me that three processes were indisputable historical facts. First Mexico, the former Vice-Kingdom, became a Republic. That is, due to historical circumstances, the monarchical political order was destroyed in Mexico. Two more processes involved the abolition of fueros, a special legal provision, both of the "traditional" Catholic Church and of "traditional" officers (and perhaps of the army in General). So, the monarchy, the traditional Church "structure", "traditional" officers are a thing of the past. Of course, the Catholic Church did not disappear, but it has changed a lot, its position and role have changed. State power has passed to the new structures. The army - in the broad sense-has transformed.
- The republic - it is modernly!
- In the book by Yakov Gordin a lot of attention is given to development of the new constitution of Mexico. Are connected with a name of Benito Juárez, first, cancellation fueros "traditional" Catholic church and "traditional" officers, secondly, an ability of a republican order to protect the own existence.
Naturally, the "problems" which have followed after establishment of the power of Spaniards are mentioned. It is senseless to dispute an existence of these "problems". But there is also other question: the "ordinary" aboriginals of Mexico whether lived better before "arrival" of Spaniards? Now, probably, it is already impossible to give the answer to this question. Probably, different social groups lived differently.
- The monarchic political order, the "traditional" Catholic church structure, the "traditional" officers have consigned to the past. And what has come? in exchange?
- In this question there is no clarity. Of course, have appeared the constitution, new - republican - structures, new paramilitary groups. But, however, through all book there is a subject: "Shortcoming, lack of a money". All the "players" of the "political game" throughout the period described in the book, constantly felt a lack of money.
- Without money - uncomfortable.
- The nationalization of Church property has not solved the problems. The customs fees not brought sufficient funds in the Treasury. Taxes did not give the necessary amounts.
- And what, in general, with economy?
- In the book by Gordin it is told about economy laconically. The plans are mentioned of the republican authorities to divide the land equally and to create a numerous class equal (small?) land owners.
- In most countries, the small land owner is a short-lived figure. An economic competition eliminates him. As a rule, he does not have sufficient technical equipment, productivity, does not produce a significant volume of commercial products. Accordingly, to get from him any significant taxes - is problematic. How realistic is it to create an effective economy on the basis of numerous small land owners?
The lack of money is the problem which is often found. And what has still followed in Mexico after the leaving from the historical arena of the monarchic device, "traditional" Catholic church structure, "traditional" officers?
- The fiction book is not scientific work. Probably, her reading can't give a integrated view of a situation. Perhaps, it is lawful to claim that the criminogenic situation has worsened. As one of book characters about that historical period says: "Mexico became paradise for bandits".
And here two more quotes.
"The Minister of Internal Affairs couldn't establish exact number of bandits, certainly. But, considering data from different States of country, he didn't doubt, that it is about tens of thousands ... It meant that the number of the armed and very resolute people, who were wandering on roads and on an off road terrain of the republic and not recognizing any state power, several times exceeded the number of the regular army and National guard, consisting at the disposal of the government ..."
"- I have asked them why they have thrown the houses and have gone to the road. They couldn't explain it ... They have occupied the settlement and lived three days there. They have dishonored all women, except old. If husbands resisted - killed. Selected all valuable - women's jewelry, weapon, silver ware at whom such property was. But most of all I have struck not these events. So always happens. But they have killed the priest. He has refused to bless their weapon when fight was started. And they killed him. They stabbed him. They didn't want to waste the bullet. It's amazing. It is surprising. So wasn't earlier - to raise a hand on the priest! I have asked one why they solved to do so. He has answered it quickly and surely that the Lord has wanted to reward them for all deprivations and has granted the right to enjoy life, to love all women and to take the best food. And the priest has gone against the will of God's. He was an unworthy priest. And they have punished him. Such is there was a will of the Lord. I never heard such talk earlier".
Naturally, it would be distortion of reality instead the all new phenomena during strengthening of the republic to see only the growth of crime rate. But nevertheless involuntarily when reading the book there was a question: "How troops in the conditions of absence or the shortage of money in treasury ate and supplied themselves?". Probably, more - less humane and lawful methods of a supplying troops were found.
- Yes, republican troops have won victories. For example, the troops of Emperor Maximilian I were defeated, and the Emperor was shot.
- The Emperor Maximilian I, seems, offered to Juarez a high post. But Juárez reasonably replied that he is the legitimate President and will defend the Constitution.
- Mexico from us it is far. And the general opinion on Mexico - the most positive. The beautiful country with vigorous people. From the story about the book by Gordin the formula appears: minus monarchy, minus "traditional" Church structure, minus "traditional" officers. Plus the Constitution, plus the Republican law and order. The constant lack of money in the Treasury and economic uncertainty are mentioned. High crime rate.
- A question in attention focus. What to look at? What to place emphasis on? Other book, maybe, will provide other information?
- And how Benito Juárez's fate was?
- Gordin wrote the fiction book, not a political history of Mexico. There are bases to believe, that Benito Juárez in 1858-1861 - the head of the government of Mexico. In 1861-1872 Benito Juárez - is the president of the country. (According Wikipedia " In 1858 as head of the Supreme Court, he became president of Mexico by the succession mandated by the Constitution of 1857 when moderate liberal President Ignacio Comonfort was forced to resign by Mexican conservatives. Juárez remained in the presidential office until his death by natural causes in 1872.") Surprisingly talented and successful person. He is of the Zapotec origin. He have got an education. The first education, by the way, - in seminary. He have died, perhaps, of heart attack in 1872. The Emperor Maximilian I has been shot, - I will remind, - in 1867.
Yakov Gordin doesn't make special calculations, but mentions that in the period of the management of the country ( the presidency?) of Juárez the three years' and the five years' wars took place. As it is possible to understand, Benito Juárez has spent a most or considerable part of the period of these wars outside the Mexican capital. Juárez has managed to pass through exclusively dangerous situations. Yakov Gordin several times told about "ancient intuition", inherent in Benito Juárez. . (According Wikipedia "He weathered the War of the Reform (1858-60), a civil war between Liberals and Conservatives, and then the French invasion (1862-67), which was supported by Mexican Conservatives.").
- But what to do ... Freedom, equality and brotherhood ... Constitution ... Who will dispute about their importance?
- "... Don Benito, elected the president again, will die of heart attack in July, 1872, and the general Díaz will become a dictator, cunning and cruel, for the period of thirty years - so far the Mexico of Juárez won't overcome the Mexico of Díaz in blood and fire of new great revolution ..."
- Yes ... A "permanent revolution" is calling to mind, - involuntarily...
- "Revolution, I love you!"
- It is difficult to understand the Mexico from the outside...
- The beautiful, nice, attractive Mexico ...
- We will read the book about the renewed Mexico soon! About the fascinating Mexico of the 21st century!
- "We" will not postpone! Nothing "won't rust" at 'us'!
The Reader and the Readeress have come into shop, and the Reader bought for himself and for his companion cans with a soft drink.
7 July 2018 15: 06
Translation from Russian into English: 8 July 2018, July 11, 2018.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Диалог о загадочной книге о Мексике'.