In Rosario Castellano's novel The Nine Guardians, the narrative perspective continuously oscillates to encompass the contrasting views of those struggling to maintain their power and of those seeking for change and empowerment. Cesar Arguello, the character that embodies the old order and the class of patrons, struggles to resist the dramatic social change in early 20th century Mexican society in order to preserve his power and eventually pass it on to his son. On the other hand, Felipe, a charismatic and enlightened Indian who represents the rising sense of democracy in Mexico, fights against the exploitation and discrimination that the people of his community face. Ernesto Arguello, Cesar's illegitimate nephew, ironically perpetuates the…show more content… When Felipe first enters the big house, Zoraida scornfully comments how a "low Indian presuming first burst in without leave to where they are sitting and then to be speaking in Spanish" (95). Her attitude reflects the dominant society's demeaning attitude toward the Indians. Felipe is different from other Indians, who remained submissive to the system of exploitation, because he asserts for his people's rights and is educated enough to speak Spanish and to take advantage of the new law. Because of his charisma and distinction from the rest of the indigenous people, Felipe in a way is a character foil of Cesar. Therefore, Felipe poses a imminent threat against the old order by trying to empower his people. He directly conflicts with Cesar in his view of the Indians as the rightful owners of Chactajal. When the Indians gather around the fire at night, Felipe asserts "it wasn't the patrones, the whites; they merely ordered the work to be done and saw it completed. It was our grandparents who did it"(98). By labeling the whites as "they" and people of his community as "us", Felipe emphasizes the tension between the two races. His claim challenges not only the legitimacy of the patrones but also the entire system founded upon the idea of the white's supremacy over the indigenous people. His appeal to logic reveals the fundamental error in the hacienda system exploiting those who rightfully deserve the land. His failure to bring about a revolution in the text, however, shows Felipe cannot transcend his inborn status due to the opposition from his own people who are so accustomed to the system of subjugation. Hence, the text criticizes the classism that inhibits even the most enlightened individuals from surpassing their inborn
