Article #287-1 | Gutenberg Articles

Excerpt

Excerpt from Remember the Alamo, by Amelia E. Barr

“Saints in heaven, Roberto! That day comes not. One victory! Bah! That
is an accident. The Mexicans are a very brave people,--the bravest in
the world. Did they not drive the Spaniards out of their country; and
it is not to be contradicted that the Spaniards have conquered all other
nations. That I saw in a book. The insult the Americans have given
to Mexico will be revenged. Her honor has been compromised before the
world. Very well, it will be made bright again; yes, Fray Ignatius says
with blood and fire it will be made bright.”

“And in the mean time, Maria, we have taken from them the city they love
best of all. An hour ago I saw, General Cos, with eleven hundred Mexican
soldiers, pass before a little band of less than two hundred Americans
and lay down their arms. These defenders of the Alamo had all been
blessed by the priests. Their banners had been anointed with holy oil
and holy water. They had all received absolution everyday before the
fight began; they had been promised a free passage through purgatory and
a triumphant entry into heaven.”

“Well, I will tell you something; Fray Ignatius showed it to me--it was
a paper printed. The rebels and their wives and children are to be sent
from this earth--you may know where they will all go, Roberto--Congress
says so. The States will give their treasures. The archbishops will
give the episcopal treasures. The convents will give their gems and gold
ornaments. Ten thousand men had left for San Antonio, and ten thousand
more are to follow; the whole under our great President Santa Anna. Oh,
yes! The rebels in Washington are to be punished also. It is well known
that they sent soldiers to Nacogdoches. Mexicans are not blind moles,
and they have their intelligence, you know. All the States who have
helped these outrageous ingrates are to be devastated, and you will see
that your famous Washington will be turned into a heap of stories. I
have seen these words in print, Roberto. I assure you, that it is not
just a little breath--what one or another says--it is the printed orders
of the Mexican government. That is something these Americans will have
to pay attention to.”

Explanation

This excerpt from Remember the Alamo (1888) by Amelia E. Barr is a historical novel set during the Texas Revolution (1835–1836), particularly focusing on the Battle of the Alamo (1836) and the broader conflict between Mexican forces under General Santa Anna and Texian (American) rebels. The passage is a dialogue between two characters—likely a Mexican woman named Maria and a man named Roberto—reflecting the Mexican perspective on the war, filled with nationalist fervor, religious justifications, and threats of brutal retaliation against the Texians and their American supporters.

Barr, a British-American novelist, wrote this work during a period of heightened American patriotism and myth-making around the Alamo, which had already become a symbol of heroic resistance. However, this excerpt is notable for humanizing the Mexican side, presenting their grievances, confidence, and religious zeal—elements often overshadowed in pro-Texian narratives.

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt

1. Context Within the Novel & Historical Background

The scene likely takes place after the Mexican surrender at the Siege of Béxar (December 1835), where Texian forces (including volunteers from the U.S.) captured San Antonio and forced General Martín Perfecto de Cos (Santa Anna’s brother-in-law) to retreat.
The dialogue foreshadows Santa Anna’s retaliatory campaign, including the Battle of the Alamo (February–March 1836), where Mexican forces would reclaim San Antonio and execute all defenders.
The mention of "printed orders" and "Congress" refers to Santa Anna’s decrees, which declared Texian rebels as pirates and traitors, authorizing their execution and the confiscation of their property.

2. Themes

A. Mexican Nationalism & Historical Pride

Maria’s speech is steeped in Mexican patriotism, emphasizing:
- Military prowess: "The Mexicans are a very brave people—the bravest in the world. Did they not drive the Spaniards out of their country?"
  - This references Mexico’s War of Independence (1810–1821), where Mexico broke free from Spanish colonial rule—a point of immense national pride.
  - The claim that "the Spaniards have conquered all other nations" is hyperbolic but reflects a sense of inherited greatness.
- Honor and Revenge: "The insult the Americans have given to Mexico will be revenged. Her honor has been compromised before the world."
  - The "insult" refers to American involvement in Texas, which Mexico saw as foreign interference in its territory.
  - The idea of restoring honor through bloodshed was a common 19th-century martial ethos, especially in conflicts over sovereignty.

B. Religious Justification for War

The passage blends Catholicism with militarism, a hallmark of Santa Anna’s rhetoric:
- "Their banners had been anointed with holy oil and holy water... promised a free passage through purgatory and a triumphant entry into heaven."
  - This suggests that the Mexican soldiers believed they were fighting a holy war, with priests blessing their cause.
  - The idea of martyrdom and divine reward mirrors Crusader-like fervor, reinforcing the moral righteousness of their campaign.
- "Fray Ignatius says with blood and fire it will be made bright."
  - Fray Ignatius (likely a fictional or composite character) represents the Church’s endorsement of Santa Anna’s war.
  - "Blood and fire" evokes biblical vengeance (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:42, Revelation 19:15), framing the conflict as divine justice.

C. Threats of Total War & Propaganda

Maria’s words reflect Santa Anna’s actual policies:
- "The rebels and their wives and children are to be sent from this earth—you may know where they will all go, Roberto—Congress says so."
  - This is a veiled reference to execution and damnation, aligning with Santa Anna’s "no quarter" orders at the Alamo and Goliad.
  - The dehumanization of Texians ("ingrates," "rebels") justifies total war.
- "The States will give their treasures... the archbishops will give the episcopal treasures... ten thousand men had left for San Antonio."
  - This mirrors Santa Anna’s fundraising and conscription efforts, including seizing Church wealth to fund the war.
  - The exaggerated numbers ("ten thousand men") reflect propaganda—Santa Anna’s forces were large but not invincible.
- "All the States who have helped these outrageous ingrates are to be devastated... your famous Washington will be turned into a heap of ruins."
  - This is a direct threat against the U.S., which Santa Anna publicly blamed for aiding Texas.
  - The mention of "Washington" suggests fears of a wider U.S.-Mexico war (which would later happen in 1846–1848).

3. Literary Devices

Device	Example	Effect
Hyperbole	"the bravest in the world," "Washington... turned into a heap of ruins"	Amplifies Mexican confidence and the perceived stakes of the war.
Religious Imagery	"blessed by the priests," "anointed with holy oil," "blood and fire"	Portrays the war as a sacred mission, not just a political conflict.
Propaganda & Foreshadowing	"printed orders of the Mexican government"	Creates dramatic irony—the reader knows Santa Anna’s threats will lead to the Alamo’s fall and later Mexican defeat at San Jacinto.
Dialogue as Characterization	Maria’s passionate, almost fanatical speech vs. Roberto’s silence (implied skepticism?)	Shows the divide between blind loyalty and potential doubt among Mexicans.
Historical Allusion	"drive the Spaniards out of their country"	Connects the Texas Revolution to Mexico’s own struggle for independence, framing Texians as hypocrites.

4. Significance of the Passage

Mexican Perspective in a Pro-Texian Era:
- Most 19th-century American accounts (e.g., The Alamo by John Henry Brown) villainized Santa Anna and glorified Texian heroes like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie.
- Barr’s inclusion of a Mexican viewpoint—even if fictionalized—humanizes the "enemy", showing their patriotism, religious conviction, and grievances.
Religion as a Tool of War:
- The fusion of Church and state in Maria’s speech reflects Santa Anna’s real-life use of Catholicism to rally support, including declaring the war a crusade.
Foreshadowing of Brutality:
- The threats against rebels’ families and "blood and fire" foreshadow the massacres at the Alamo and Goliad, where no Texian survivors were spared.
Propaganda vs. Reality:
- Maria’s confidence in Mexican victory contrasts with the historical outcome—Santa Anna’s defeat at San Jacinto (April 1836) and Texas’s eventual annexation by the U.S. (1845).

Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters

This excerpt is not just a historical recounting but a study in perspective. Barr—writing in a time when the Alamo was already mythologized in American culture—chooses to give voice to the Mexican side, showing:

How nationalism and religion fueled Santa Anna’s war.
The psychological warfare (propaganda, threats) used to demoralize enemies.
The tragic irony of Maria’s confidence—Mexico would lose Texas, but her words reflect the real emotions of a people fighting for their land.

The passage also challenges the reader to consider:

Who are the "heroes" and "villains" in war?
How does propaganda shape history?
What role does faith play in justifying violence?

In this way, Barr’s novel—while romanticized—offers a more nuanced view of the Alamo than many contemporary accounts, making it a valuable text for understanding the complexities of the Texas Revolution.

Questions

Question 1

The passage’s portrayal of Mexican resolve is primarily structured around which of the following rhetorical strategies?

A. An appeal to historical precedent, juxtaposed with ironic foreshadowing of future defeat.
B. A synthesis of martial fervor, religious sanctification, and propagandistic hyperbole.
C. A contrast between the pragmatic calculations of generals and the emotional outbursts of civilians.
D. A gradual escalation from personal grievance to geopolitical threats, mirroring Santa Anna’s own speeches.
E. A deliberate undermining of Texian legitimacy through repeated invocations of divine retribution.

Question 2

Maria’s assertion that “the Spaniards have conquered all other nations” serves which of the following functions in the passage?

A. To establish an objective historical fact that grounds her subsequent claims in empirical reality.
B. To invoke a mythologized narrative of Spanish-Mexican exceptionalism, reinforcing the perceived inevitability of victory.
C. To highlight the cyclical nature of colonial oppression, implicitly aligning Texians with Spanish imperialists.
D. To expose the contradictions in Mexican nationalism, given Spain’s eventual expulsion from Mexico.
E. To preemptively dismiss American military capabilities by framing them as historically inferior to European powers.

Question 3

The phrase “blood and fire” (line 6) operates most effectively as which of the following?

A. A biblical allusion that conflates sacred vengeance with martial violence, legitimizing brutality as divine will.
B. A metaphorical representation of the dual forces of revolution and counterrevolution in 19th-century Latin America.
C. An example of synesthesia, blending sensory experiences to evoke the visceral horror of war.
D. A direct quotation from Santa Anna’s military orders, inserted to lend verisimilitude to the fictional dialogue.
E. A euphemism for the scorched-earth tactics Maria believes will be necessary to suppress the Texian rebellion.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the passage’s religious imagery and its political rhetoric?

A. The religious imagery is subordinate to the political, serving primarily to sanctify the Mexican state’s territorial claims.
B. The two are interdependent, with religious authority used to confer moral urgency on political actions and vice versa.
C. The religious imagery is undercut by the passage’s secular threats, revealing the hypocrisy of clerical involvement in warfare.
D. The political rhetoric is framed as an extension of spiritual duty, but the passage ultimately privileges martial over ecclesiastical power.
E. The religious and political elements are kept distinct, with the former addressing individual salvation and the latter collective vengeance.

Question 5

The passage’s closing threat—“your famous Washington will be turned into a heap of ruins”—is most effectively interpreted as which of the following?

A. A literal prediction of a Mexican invasion of the U.S. capital, reflecting contemporary fears of foreign aggression.
B. A rhetorical flourish designed to shock Roberto into unquestioning loyalty to the Mexican cause.
C. An extension of the passage’s propagandistic logic, escalating local conflict into a symbolic war against American imperialism.
D. An ironic commentary on the fragility of national symbols, given the eventual U.S. annexation of Texas.
E. A veiled critique of American hubris, implying that divine justice will favor Mexico’s historical grievances.

Solutions and Explanations

1) Correct answer: B

Why B is most correct: The passage integrates three dominant rhetorical strategies: (1) martial fervor (“ten thousand men,” “devastated”), (2) religious sanctification (“blessed by the priests,” “anointed with holy oil”), and (3) propagandistic hyperbole (“Washington… turned into a heap of ruins”). These elements work synergistically to portray Mexican resolve as unassailable, divinely ordained, and existentially necessary. The synthesis is deliberate, mirroring Santa Anna’s own blend of militarism, Catholicism, and nationalist propaganda.