Ruby Villarreal Professor Williams American Literature 2326 September 13, 2011

Advocates Legends are a fascinating thing to observe and learn from. At times they are not as scientifically sound as we would like but they are interesting none the less. Virgins are a common point in many legends centered upon religion and peoples beliefs. In most systems of belief, including Christian to Native American, there are women and men introduced that act as incendiaries between humans and a supreme being. These individuals make mortals pleas heard to the creator. There are two women honored in two different cultures, Wohpe and Guadalupe, both are considered essential to their colorful peoples lifestyle. Yet the way they both entered their different cultures is very colorful. Guadalupe is an intermediary in the Catholic religion as Wohpe is for the Lakota Native Americans. Both stories begin to unfold in dessert like conditions upon hills. Wohpes anecdote starts with two men whereas Guadalupes has only one man that experiences the females initial appearance to mankind. All three men appear to be of indigenes beginnings; this is where the similarities end between them. The man in Guadalupes story is a converted from Aztec beliefs to a Catholic by the Spanish in the early 1520s. The males in Wohpes appear to be born and raised Lakota males during the early start of the Americas. These women both have very different approaches toward introducing themselves. Guadalupe starts by making Juan Diego (the man she introduces herself to) listen to music and

her voice. Then Guadalupe speaks to Juan as she explains she is the Virgin Mary and instructs him to go to the bishop and tell him that a temple should be built in her honor at the bottom of the hill (Marypages). Juan does what Mary bids, but the bishop does not believe him. Juan for the second time returns to Tepeyac (the name of the hill) to inform Mary of his lack of success. Mary asks Juan to try once more with the bishop. Which he does, but this time the reluctant bishop asks for proof. The evidence she provides is the in the form of Castilian Roses and her image on Juans robes. As soon as the Bishop is presented with these, a temple is built on the spot indicated by Guadalupe. In this temple, people go pray and take part in traditional ceremonies. This in my opinion is very subtle in comparison to Wohpes violent but very effective manifestation. It begins with two Lakota men guarding their campground as they see a lone figure making its way towards them. As the men get closer they observe the figure is a woman. One of the men heads for the female as the other male stays back. The male that stays behind is able to make out his companion trying to embrace the female. As he does this a cloud appears surrounding both male and female. When the smoke clears the Wohpe is alone and his companion is gone. Wohpe bids the terrified man to come closer, which he does. Only after she assures him he would not be harmed. When he got there, she showed him the bare bones of his companion she had destroyed and picked his bare bones (Sherlock). Wohpe directed the man to go back to the camp and call a council together and inform them of all the direction she should give them. The man does as she bids him to and Wohpe introduces the pipe to the Lakota as a way of prayer and ceremonial tradition. Guadalupe and Wohpe were two female intermediaries for their very dissimilar cultures. They both represent a rock for their people, many times a shoulder to cry on or simply provide

an escape. While both their methods are a far cry from each other, from introduction to directions they both serve the same purpose. These beautiful women are there to make sure mortals pleas and prayers heard by a higher being (Marypages) (Sherlock). They are the advocates representing mortals intentions in front of a supreme being.

Works Cited "Guadalupe | Our Lady of Guadalupe." Apparitions and Pictures of Virgin Mary. Foundation Mary Pages, 2010. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://www.marypages.com/GuadalupeEng1.htm>.

Sherlock, Karl J. "Lakota." Welcome to Grossmont College. Grossmont College. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://www.grossmont.edu/karl.sherlock/English231/LakotaWohpeandtheGiftofthePip e.html>.