Symbolism In Luis R. Corteguera's Death

Symbols and imagery are very effective tools that when used correctly can convey one’s power and authority. On the opposite end of the spectrum, symbols can be used to degrade and defame a person. These two statements are true throughout history, but are especially evident in the society of colonial Mexico. In Death by Effigy, Luis R. Corteguera demonstrates that symbols were an integral part of colonial society through a court case centered on the town of Tecamachalco. The display of an effigy and sambenitos, special inquisitorial garments, reveals the importance of symbols to the political and religious body called the Inquisition, but also the community. First and foremost, Corteguera argues that this symbolic display challenged the authority and impeded the work of the …show more content…
More personal analysis by Corteguera following the sections of the trial could help clear up any reader’s confusion about characters and concepts. A second problem is that some areas of the narrative are quite repetitive. Corteguera does point out that colonial legal documents can be ‘repetitive’ and ‘formulaic” , but by choosing to use a narrative style he had the opportunity to change this and still convey accurate information. Throughout the narrative, one might also feel as if pieces of the story are missing, not do to Corteguera personally. As Corteguera points out, one of trials in the case is missing . With such as complex case, one could argue that these documents, if discovered, would provide a clearer understanding of events. Second, personal narratives throughout the case would have key to understanding character motivation, but the secretive nature of the tribunal has hindered this possibility. Altogether, more documentation could have provided a better understanding of the case, especially the inter-period from