This is a re-read for me. I read it at least once as a youngster and then again about four years ago. When I read it four years ago it prompted me to do some digging about the historical background of the book - why Helen wrote it and so on. In doing so, I discovered the Ramona Pageant which is an annual outdoor dramatization of the story which takes place each spring in Hemet, CA. www.ramonabowl.com "Longest continuously running outdoor play in the United States." At that point I determined that I would eventually go... Well. I plan to go this Spring in fact - unless the earth opens up and swallows me - or some other unforeseen act more forceful than the common cold prevents me.
My literature partner (aka mom) is helping me plan our week end. We have both re read the book and also skimmed to other books which are written fairly soon after the original. - books which seem to be written to defend the historical context of Ramona - explain and unpack it - and also to commend Helen Hunt Jackson for her research and her aim - which was not to entertain but to inform Americans about the plight of Native Americans in California and to inspire them to action on their behalf. The book was published in 1884 btw.
Wow, i'm even boring myself as I write - poor reader whose gotten this far, geekiness unite.
Why all this interest in a book that seems to have faded out of the collective subconscious? In fact, I am hunting for an abridged version (need to still apply myself more before I sweat too much on my own adaptation which I'm writing for the benefit of my kids - so they can have a synopsis of the story before we watch the play.) I don't know if I can answer the question about my interest so easily. I am charmed by the love story even as I find it terribly syrupy. I admire the aims of Helen Hunt Jackson. I find her a clever woman - a good writer - who does manage to write a compelling story which evokes sympathy for a people group. She did do her research - in fact most of her characters were based on real people, real places, and/or legends of real people. I love California history and I think the intriguing mixture of Spaniards, monastics, Native Americans and eventually the culture clash that ensued with the arrival of the Americans is interesting.
Funny (to me) note: She based the original rancho on an actual ranch home owned by a prominent Mexican family which she visited (which is now a museum near Ventura btw - another destination hopefully for yours truly who is turning into a literary tourist apparently). The famed Senora was absent - who apparently was truly kind and benevolent. However, the Senora in her book was cruel and manipulative though outwardly pious. Unfotunately the Senora of said ranchhouse -which was well known to have been the inspiration for the setting of the story had to live down the infamy created by the Senora of the book. Oops - Helen!.
The beginning of the story is charming and a pleasant read. The end is just a daunting gauntlet of pain and persecution as the young couple are driven out from one place to another until Alessandro dies a violent and unjust death. Ramona and Alessandro are portrayed as saints. I think the novel would've been better if she had inserted a little more realism into their characterization - but we could safely say we are in the latter phase of the Romantic period of literature (late 1800s - it's tapering off but still a big influence) Plus her audience perhaps would've been subject the assumption that Native Americans were hardly more than animals - hence her need to prove how valiant, honorable, intelligent etc. one such could be.
Her work is often compared to Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, but did not have the impact at the time of writing that aforementioned book did - even if it did sell and was quite popular but did not have the cultural/political influence that she intended or hoped it would have. Some think it may have influenced policy in favor of the Indians.
Sidenote of interest to anyone (doubtful) who has gotten this far. I have a yankee ancestor (hailing from New England) - one Julian Ames - who married a Spanish lady, converted to catholicism and bought a small ranch about 23 north east of San Diego which used to be part of property belonging to the San Diego Mission. So, you see I am not merely an onlooker but someone who is as about as woven into the California tapestry as a person can be. ( I plan to go there too one day) I will keep you informed oh long suffering reader. It has since become an RV park (less romantic).
