This module studies the representation of the Mexican revolution in literature and muralism. We will cover the life-course of a phenomenon that, although an extremely violent, costly and lengthy period, was simultaneously, as Octavio Paz has stated, ‘a sudden immersion of Mexico in her own being’. Mexico’s Revolution brought about violent but also social, political and cultural change. It shook the entire country from top to bottom and has been an obsession in culture, arts and literature ever since. During the course we will cover both the revolution’s armed struggle (a chaotic and violent period spanning the years 1910-1920), and its institutional phase ranging from about 1920 to 1946. This course examines artistic manifestations that look both analytically and critically at the Revolution and its consequences. We will discuss works such as Los de abajo, which was written in 1915, right in the midst of armed struggle, through to novels published in the 1980s, such as Como agua para chocolate. The course also focuses on the important role that visual culture played in legitimising the Revolution and creating a sense of national identity which included the poor and marginalised, for example through the work of muralists like Diego Rivera. By examining the cultural responses to the Mexican Revolution, this course seeks to analyse how the Revolution is mythologized, explained, critiqued and justified in literature and culture, how it depicts disillusionment with its promises, and issues of race, class, gender and sexuality as they relate to Mexican history.

Preparatory Reading

Students should read all the texts listed below and the supplementary readings indicated by the course tutor before the allocated class.

Texts:

Mariano Azuela, Los de abajo (1915)
	Mexican Muralism (from 1920)
	Ángeles Mastretta, Arráncame la vida (1985)
	Laura Esquivel, Como agua para chocolate (1989)
Please note: This module description is accurate at the time of publication. Minor amendments may be made prior to the start of the academic year.