Alburquerque: Analysis of Major Characters
"Alburquerque: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate relationships and personal journeys of key figures in a narrative centered around themes of identity, choices, and the impact of socio-political dynamics. The protagonist, Abrán González, is a twenty-one-year-old boxer who grapples with guilt over a past tragedy and the recent discovery of his adoption. As he seeks to uncover his father's identity, he navigates contrasting influences from two women: the ambitious mayor Marisa Martínez, who represents modern power and independence, and Lucinda Córdova, a nurse embodying traditional values and devotion to family.
Key to the story is Ben Chávez, Abrán's biological father, who serves as a reflective artist and educator, and Frank Dominic, a politically ambitious attorney whose superficial charm masks his ruthless desire for power. The character of Jose Calabasa, a Vietnam veteran, represents the struggle to reconnect with cultural roots amid personal turmoil. Lastly, Walter Johnson symbolizes entrenched business interests and bigotry within the political landscape. Together, these characters illustrate a rich tapestry of human experience, emphasizing that identity is shaped not just by heritage but by the choices one makes.
Alburquerque: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Rudolfo A. Anaya
First published: 1992
Genre: Novel
Locale: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Plot: Magical realism
Time: 1992
Abrán González (ah-BRAHN gohn-SAH-lehs), a twenty-one-year-old boxer from the barrio who has given up fighting because he feels responsible for the death of a sparring partner. Abrán learns that he was adopted and that his mother was Cynthia Johnson, a talented painter. She dies from cancer shortly after Abrán discovers the truth about his birth. He sets out to discover the identity of his father. He agrees to return to the ring in exchange for information about his father and is thus drawn into the world of Albuquerque wealth and politics. Two women are attracted to him: the mayor, who represents the power and glamour that can be his as a successful fighter, and a poor nurse from a small village in the mountains, who represents a simple life of service to others and the traditional Mexican values of family and land. In the end, Abrán discovers that it is not through biology that one gains one's identity; rather, he learns, one defines oneself through the choices one makes.
Ben Chávez (CHAH-vehs), Abrán's biological father, a writer and teacher at the University of New Mexico. A poor boy from the barrio, Ben fell in love with Cynthia Johnson, an Anglo girl and the mother of Abrán, but her father insisted that the baby be put up for adoption, and she never revealed the identity of her lover to anyone. Even though he learns that Abrán is his son, he respects Cynthia's silence. Ben is an observer with a compulsion to write, rather than a man of action. He represents the artist in society, and through his stories he tells people who they are; his art enables them to understand themselves and their values.
Frank Dominic, a wealthy attorney running for mayor of Albuquerque. Although he was a high-school classmate of Ben and Cynthia, Dominic is unaware that Ben was Cynthia's lover. He promises to find out who Abrán's father was—if Abrán will return to the ring for a fight that will be the centerpiece in the celebration kicking off Dominic's campaign. Running on a platform of urban development that envisions the Albuquerque of the future as a gambling and entertainment center of canals and casinos, Dominic conceals his ruthlessness and hunger for power behind a good-old-boy façade. He is interested in using Abrán to further his political plans, but those plans are doomed to failure because they have not grown out of the character of the city but out of Dominic's insatiable ego.
Lucinda Córdova (lew-SEEN-dah KOHR-doh-vah), a nurse from a small village in northern New Mexico who befriends Abrán after the death of his mother. She represents the traditional ideal of womanhood: She is selfless and devoted to family, and she wants to devote her life to healing. When she learns that Abrán has been unfaithful to her, she breaks off their relationship. On the night of the fight, however, she realizes that she has no future without him, and she rushes to ringside to be near him. Her presence inspires him, enabling him to make a comeback and win the match.
Marisa Martínez (mahr-EE-sah mahr-TEE-nehs), the beautiful, competent, honest mayor of Albuquerque. She represents the new woman: She is divorced and lives alone, devoting herself to her work. When she meets Abrán, she is attracted to him and invites him to her home, and they make love. A detective hired by Dominic takes photographs, which Dominic then uses to try to make Marisa withdraw from the mayoral race. She is determined to see it through, however, and her courage and devotion to the city will probably be rewarded by reelection.
Jose Calabasa (hoh-SEH kah-lah-BAH-sah), a Santa Domingo Indian and loyal friend of Abrán. A Vietnam veteran who has not been able to escape the evils of the war, Jose is a student at the university and has lost touch with his pueblo and family. When Dominic attempts to buy the pueblo's water rights, Jose returns home to try to prevent the sale. He is unsuccessful, but he discovers that his future lies in helping his people. He discovers that Ben is Abrán's father when he recognizes a picture of Ben in one of Cynthia's paintings.
Walter Johnson, a wealthy businessman and also a candidate for mayor. Johnson represents Anglo business interests and bigotry. He never learns that his wife had an affair with her gynecologist and that Cynthia was not his daughter. He enters the race for mayor to oppose Dominic, whom he hates, and he wants nothing to do with Abrán after Abrán learns that Cynthia was his mother.