The Mexican Revolution is remembered as a time when Mexicans were for a brief period united in their efforts to promote justice and to end decades of injustice. When in American history have our people been similarly united? Did our revolution have the same effect on Americans of all classes? By common consensus the Mexican Revolution is viewed as having been also betrayed and aborted.

After all the batdes, the haciendas continued as formerly, sometimes with new owners, but as often with the same families as before. What had the Revolution accomplished? A discussion might use this question as a topic, and the Mexican Revolution might be compared with other revolutions during this century.

Artemio Cruz is one of Fuentes' most memorable characters. His lack of scruples as a robber baron is not uniquely Mexican. When has our history produced similar figures? Is Cruz much different...