Sweet Diamond Dust
Chapter IV focuses on the presence of the Americans in Puerto Rico during the early part of the twentieth century and their subsequent development of the sugarcane industry there. During this time, the United States military occupied Puerto Rico. Due to this occupation, the native islanders were affected in numerous ways and were looked down upon by the Americans.The Americans viewed the natives as incompetent and unable to be trusted. Many new American banks were popping up in Guamani that were reluctant to finance island run mills, but were giving money to the American run mills: "A number of powerful banks from the north had recently opened branches in Guamani...These banks, however, found no difficulty in financing the new sugar corporations that had recently arrived in town, but mistrusted island initiative" (26). The opening and inauguration of the Snow White Mills, "...the ultramodern refining complex the newcomers (Americans) had been building from months on the valley," (28) was of major significance in this chapter. Don Julio was strong-willed and
When Don Julio arrived at the fair grounds, he made his way over to Mr. Durham and Mr. Irving, the president of the mills and the president of the sponsoring bank National City Bank, respectively. These two Americans saw the US victory as a major step towards modernizing for the US and for Puerto Rico: "'Twenty years ago it brought you freedom and order; this times it's bringing you our nation's progress. Thanks to that army out there your island is being inaugurated today in to the modern age," (32) said Mr. Durham speaking of the army that was present at the festivities. This shows the difference between the two ways of thinking. The Americans are concerned with the business aspects and money. On the other hand, Don Julio is worried about his family business. In conclusion, there are many differences that are apparent between the Americans and Puerto Ricans in this chapter. The American occupation and taking over helped to bring out and show these differences. The manner in which the Americans go about dealing with the Puerto Ricans shows their lack of res
Some common words found in the essay are:
Don Julio, Americans Americans, Puerto Rico, Follow Example, Snow White's, Spanish Americans, Puerto Ricans, White Mills, City Bank, Rico Due, don julio, native peoples, puerto rico, snow white mills, foreign landowners, puerto ricans, white mills, sugar mills, run mills, snow white, americans puerto,
Approximate Word count = 719
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
