In his introduction to Days of Obligation, Richard Rodriguez describes the emotional paradox he encounters as he compares the comedy of California to the tragedy of Mexico. Even before Monroe declared war on Mexico, there were already a number of Mexicans living in California, much more than the small number of American trappers and woodsmen. However, it is after all, our manifest destiny to extend American soil from the Atlantic to the Pacific. After winning the Mexican War and the 1849 California Gold Rush, there came a massive influx of Americans into California, so massive that they were quickly outnumbering the Mexicans. Rodriguez's comparisons between California and Mexico on religion, optimism or hope, and the old against the new conclude that despite California's many setbacks with comedy, it is still superior to the tragic Mexico.

Rodriguez describes the challenge he faces as a Mexican Catholic in a Protestant California...