In Americo Paredes’s novel “George Washington Gomez,” the main character George Washington “Gualinto” Gomez is a young Mexican-American man, growing up in Jonesville-on-the-Grande, Texas. Gualinto experiences many hardships and triumphs as he grows up in Texas’ early 1900’s. Gualinto is pressured by his father to be a “great men” and struggles to follow the noble path he has been given. Feliciano, Gualinto’s uncle, does everything he can to ensure that he achieves his dream. Gumersindo wants Gualinto to become a great person, so Feliciano sets out to provide a financial stability environment for Gualinto. Ironically Feliciano disapproves ultimately of Gualinto’s character because Gualinto doesn’t want to help his people and is critical of the resistance. Gualinto is not the man he would have been if it weren’t for Feliciano’s financial support and his determination to get a formal education.
Feliciano was capable of providing financial security to Gualinto during a period in which most Mexican-Americans had been poor and were working low-paying jobs. He considered this a significant venture as he wanted to “enjoy as much as possible to realize Gumersindo’s dream through all means” (Paredes, 155). Thus, Feliciano did not follow Lupe and the sediciosos into Mexico, but mindful of his promises to Gumersindo, moved the family to Jonesville-on-the-Grande where he quickly transcended several socioeconomic ranks. Faustino bello teaches Feliciano how to barten under him, and he quickly rises up the political ladder, gaining votes for Judge Norris. Feliciano later owns his grocery business, which accounts for the bulk of his wealth. Feliciano, although not wealthy, is the sole breadwinner in his family’s household. He has a “store-bought” front door and a porch swing to symbolize their success. Even once “La Chilla” hits Jonesville-on-the-Grande, Feliciano and his family are one of the few Mexican-American families that are able to weather the storm with minimal damage due to the fact that Gumersindo had not put all of the familie’s money in the bank. He does this all to make Gualinto great. Gualinto doesn’t have to work, unlike many Mexican-American families. He does, however, choose to work briefly while in highschool. Gualinto becomes more mature and begins to work alongside his peers. Others were less fortunate. Gualinto was among the unfortunate ones, as were Maruca and Carmen, Gualinto’s sisters. Feliciano didn’t care if they completed school, and they decided that it was best for them to drop out. Feliciano provided support for Carmen and Maruca in their education. Maruca is made to feel like a woman by the end. This shows that Gualinto wouldn’t have been able to achieve the high-esteem man Gumersindo wanted. Gualinto’s education was another advantage thanks to Feliciano. Feliciano knew very little about how to be a great man. He did however make enough money at jobs he liked, which sometimes made him question his decision. His nephew’s education was his main concern” (Paredes 49). Gualinto was struggling to adjust in primary school because Miss Cornelia kept picking on him, making him embarrassing for the rest of his class. Gualinto persevered, and even won awards for his fluency in reading at such an early age. Gualinto began middle school and prepared to go on to secondary school. Gualinto had many problems in high school due to Maria Elena Osuna utilizing him for his grades and La Chilla. Gualinto was able to finish this education pursuit, despite his declining academic performance. Gualinto, unlike many of his Mexican-American contemporaries in Gualinto’s time, made it through high school and college. Gualinto was privileged to have this opportunity. He was one of five Mexicans who had made it through high school. Gualinto’s success was due in large part to Feliciano. Gualinto could have quit school long ago if it hadn’t been for Feliciano being able to provide for his family. Feliciano instead recognized Gualinto’s importance early in his life and continued to remind him.
Feliciano made sure Gualinto was financially stable and educated. Another contribution Feliciano made was to Gualinto’s development as a father figure. Feliciano was not married and had no children. He invested in Gualinto’s education as though he were his son. Gualinto did not appreciate the uncle’s generosity. Gualinto felt embarrassed by their lack of wealth and couldn’t appreciate Feliciano’s sacrifices to give them what they had. Gualinto refused to accept Feliciano as his father, and Feliciano reminded Gualinto of his Mexican roots. One can see Gualinto’s struggle to reconcile his Anglo status with this. While Gualinto may be able to relate to the Mexicans and whites at school, he also feels the frustration for the rinches, just as he does with the rest. Gualinto tells Gualinto that one tree is a Riche and he will kill it. Because you shoot people in their backs. Because you shoot unarmed children and men.” (68). Feliciano tried to help Gualinto, despite his confusion. Gualinto probably remembers Feliciano as a father figure. It was his dying wish that Gualinto not be told about the death of his father. Feliciano was not able to keep this promise, which was a great responsibility. Gualinto begins to see his father negatively, but Gumersindo had provided Feliciano with a job. The boy couldn’t understand. Let someone else explain to him that Feliciano had died” (Paredes 226). Feliciano was forced to hide the past of his father and his from Gualinto. Gualinto later comes to regard them both as cowards. Feliciano understands the gravity, but Feliciano also knows that if anyone found out about Feliciano’s role, it would result in Gualinto being imprisoned. Gualinto was raised without hatred by Gumersindo, but it is impossible for Gualinto not to know the circumstances surrounding his father’s passing. Feliciano lets Gualinto think the things he wants, so he can be there for him. He also promises to honor Gumersindo’s promise.
Gualinto’s success was due to Feliciano. Gualinto has the opportunity to get a better education because Feliciano is relentlessly dedicated to his financial success. Gualinto’s success was also made possible by Feliciano playing a father figure to Gualinto. Gualinto is not the man Feliciano hopes to help, despite Feliciano’s best efforts. Instead, Gualinto has a negative view on Mexican resistance. He even legally changed his name in order to dissociate from it. Gualinto owes Feliciano all his Mexican heritage.
