Chapter 4 The Sons of La Malinche Summary and Analysis

Mexicans are courteous, suspicious, and distant in a similar way that the Chinese, the Hindus, and the Arabs are. They are part of their past, representing both conquerors and conquered. They are insecure and loyal. Their hidden aspects attract and repel at the same time. Peasants fascinate because they represent ancient elements of society. Old wisdom also contains other hidden values. Women represent knowledge and mystery as they are responsible for life.

In Western societies workers lose their individuality, becoming part of the work process when becoming wage earners. Their work becomes the same as that of other men, representing functions rather than jobs. Mass production assembles units fabricated without being aware of what is created. In the same way, technicians lose knowledge of what they create. Functions become ends, where...