Men of Maize (Masterplots II: American Fiction Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Miguel Ángel Asturias
- First Published: 1949
- Type of Plot: Social morality
- Time of Work: The twentieth century
- Setting: Guatemala
- Principal Characters: Gaspar Ilóm, Piojosa Grande, Machojón, Vaca Manuela, Colonel Chalo Godoy, Goyo Yic, María Tecún, Nicho Aquino, Hilario Sacayón
- Genres: Long fiction, Mythological literature
- Subjects: Mythology or myths, Twentieth century, Blindness or blind persons, Revolutions, Native Americans or American Indians, Death or dying, Revenge, Legends, Edible plants, South America or South Americans, Mayas, Corn, Guatemala or Guatemalans
- Locales: Guatemala
The Novel
The action of Men of Maize is divided into two periods. In the first part of the novel Gaspar Ilóm wages war against the professional maizegrowers who set fire to the brush and ruthlessly exploit the land. According to the Indians of Guatemala, the first men who were created, their ancestors, were made of corn. Therefore, this grain is sacred; it may be consumed but never exploited, eaten but never sold. The maizegrowers, however, prefer profits to traditions, an attitude which opposes them to the peasants both morally and ethically. This is why Gaspar and his...
[The entire page is 2868 words long]
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