The Mangy Parrot and Mexican and Social Classes During 1700's

When I think of someone who is poor in today’s society the last thing that I associate with this state of being is staff and workers. While I was reading the Mangy Parrot, I found it interesting how Periquillo describes his family’s welfare. He often says that his family is poor. Yet, he also often speaks of slaves and schooling. This made me question whether or not his family really was poor or whether they were just of a middle class.

I wonder if what he accomplishes later in the book could have affected his perception of his own family. I find this interesting because I believe that ones surroundings can change their perception of themselves. For instance, being someone who grew up in an area where many families were well off, I often take advantage of things that others consider to be luxuries. I think that maybe Periquillo is somehow similarly jaded. As he tells stories of some of his school mates and their being born to families who fund Catholic Churches, I can’t help but wonder if his perception of being well off or poor is somewhat distorted. His mother and father pay for him to be schooled. This causes me to ponder whether if families that were truly poor could afford the luxury of education in Mexico during this time.

Another thing that piqued my curiosity about his family’s financial being was the fact that he seems to be friends with members of a higher society. This confuses me and causes me to question how Mexican society in these times was arranged? Where classes distinct? I am currently researching this and will be posting again soon regarding social classes in Mexico within the 1700’s.