Life and Literature class

2. Focus on a specific legend, anecdote, or tale that Cather narrates in this novel. What does it reveal about her sense of New Mexico?
     I was first taken back to memory of my visit to Chimayo after reading the story of Juan Diego   (p 25).  The story in the book was similar to a legend of an old church I had seen as a child.  I remember walking around, looking at the trees and following my family into a small adobe church called “El Sanctuario de Chimayo”.  We followed a line of people and passed through many small rooms.  Each of the rooms contained a bright painting or a sculpture made of wood of a famous saint.  I remember my mother calling me to stop looking at the artwork and to come and get some dirt.  Puzzled I went to her and asked if I heard right.  She said yes that the people of Chimayo believed that the dirt had healing properties.  I bent down and scooped up the dirt not knowing I was feeling the rough grain of a great historical site until I became older and knew of its significance. 
     This was the same feeling I got after I entered college and learned about the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s work.  I did a quick look when I was 13 and should have savored the moment just a little longer.  I would love to go back to Italy but it seems that Chimayo is more obtainable to me at this point in time.  Cather’s vivid description allows me to visit there in my thoughts as I read through the pages of the places I have visited in New Mexico.  I feel as if I am sitting with her looking at the same historic setting and smiling as I am sure she probably was as well.