1. How was the Revolution similar to a fiesta? Because of any existing similarity, why do the people cling to that time in history? Can that be considered healthy?

2. Paz asserts that every revolution attempts to restore the order that an oppressor has twisted or disregarded altogether. How was that true in Mexico?

3. What did Article 3 of the new Constitution mandate? What troubles did that Article cause?

4. What role did religion play in ancient South American cultures? Did Catholicism change that role?

5. Who was Sor Juana? Why was she an unusual person both in South America and in old Spain?

6. When did Independence begin in Mexico? How was it similar to or different from the Conquest?

7. How did Catholicism reduce the Indian converts into passive believers? How was that a significant blow?

8. Why could Mexico not have progressed as far as she has today if she were working within capitalism?

9. What does Paz think of the Soviet Union? How does it compare to Mexico?

10. What is Paz's definition of "community"? How is that definition knowingly idealistic?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Paz's arguments, how important is the Mexican sense of place? What affects it? What is its most important aspect? Explain the sense of place in the greater context of the Mexican mindset that Paz presents throughout the book.

Essay Topic 2

What are the varieties of chingar that the author explains? Does that help your comprehension of the word? Does it enrich your understanding of Mexican culture?

Essay Topic 3

What is the Mexican view of privacy? Why does Paz defend it at such cost? What part does lying play in his defense? Is that accepted?

(see the answer keys)

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