It is on the long Atlantic crossing that the costume for Zorro is born. Easily bored, Diego has taken to telling the crew stories about monsters and demons to entertain himself and terrify them. Given the superstitious nature of sailors in those days, this is an easy task. After frightening them with tales of wandering spirits who travel the oceans looking for souls to steal, he garbs himself completely in black, including a mask, and pops up in the shadows. Those crew who catch an occasional glimpse swoear that evil spirits are at work.
It is in Europe where Diego completes his transference into the dual personalities, Zorro the hero and Diego the foppish nobleman. Spain of the early 1800s is occupied by Napoleon’s armies. Like most countries, the Spaniards both resent the foreign leadership and rejoice in the freedom from despotic kings, and in Spain's case, the dreaded Inquisition.
Diego and Bernardo's host is no exception to this rule, and even takes it further by maintaining close relations with the head of the occupying forces. But it's his eldest daughter, not his politics, that captivates Diego. Juliana is considered one of Barcelona’s beauties, and Diego quickly loses his heart and reason to her.
When not trying to think of ways in which to win Juliana’s affections, Diego was receiving the training that would stand Zorro in good stead for years to come. Initially taken on only as a fencing student by an esteemed master, Diego gains the man’s confidence sufficiently to be admitted to the secret society, La Justicia.
A small group of men who are dedicated to fighting for justice and right wrongs, they had tirelessly worked to help victims of the Inquisition flee Spain for years. It’s under their tutelage that Zorro becomes fully realised. He is introduced to the Circle of the Master as an instrument of training and reaches his potential as a swordsman and fighter.
It would seem that Isabel Allende has set the stage for a great romantic hero. He will win the heart of his true love and live happily ever after. But instead of going down that well worn path, she throws in twists to confound expectations.
Juliana delights in the role of romantic heroine. She has read extensively on the subject and is determined that her life should follow the path laid out in novels and tales. This predisposition allows Allende the opportunity to poke fun at the genre and herself in the process.
Article comments
1 - DrPat
How about Zorro, the Gay Blade? I always thought that poked a lot fun at the romantic hero, and the self-righteous heroine...
I mean, as an ASIN, of course.
2 - gypsyman
Pat:
You know I thought about it, but I've never seen it, which could be said for half my choices but they were based on trying to show a historical range of work, and a personal aversion to George Hamiltion was a strong factor.
Something about the title bothered me, I couldn't remember if this movie had been camp in a positive or negative way, and to me that's important. I don't like negative sterotypes for any group.
Yeah I know really p.c. but so am I sometimes.
cheers gypsyman
3 - Ernesto
Nice limn, good points, especially the discussion of identity and myth-making. Seems there's always a double-edged sword to wearing a mask -- it protects but isolates the wearer ... I'd been wanting to pick this up but was a bit nervous; I loved House of the Spirits when I read it back in college but my memory of the book tells me I'd like it less if I read it now. (Sort of like Tom Robbins' books ...) Your review makes it sound, however, as though this would be worth the risk!