Themes In George Washington Gomez

Although there are many themes in Americo Paredes’s George Washington Gomez, the major and perhaps most important theme is the theme of identity. Gualinto endures an identity crisis throughout the whole novel, especially in school, where he is torn between Gualinto, the American, and Gualinto, the Mexican or MexicoTexan. At the beginning of the novel, Gualinto’s parents decide to name their son George Washington Gomez (nicknamed Gualinto) because they want their son to have a significant name in hopes that he will become the leader of his people and lead them to a better life, just like the father of his country, George Washington, did. After his father passes away, Gualinto’s uncle Feliciano takes over as the father figure in his life. To