The No-Guitar Blues

Fausto’s desire for a guitar motivates his actions throughout the story and symbolizes success and the American dream for him. His desire for a guitar is sparked by seeing Los Lobos perform on American Bandstand, a symbolic blend of Mexican American culture and music and American opportunity. Seeing the Los Lobos guitarist play on TV, Fausto sees rock stardom as his ticket to fame and fortune. In keeping with typical American dream stories, Fausto tries to earn his guitar through hard work, attempting to mow lawns and rake leaves to make some money. When this doesn’t work, he tries his hand at trickery but feels rotten when it works. Though he gets the money for the guitar, he won’t sully the guitar’s symbolism by buying it with his ill-gotten money.

Integrity is also part of American dream mythology, so when Fausto shows it, he is rewarded with a guitarrón. A Mexican instrument, this gift is even more meaningful for Fausto because it allows him to blend his American dream with his Mexican roots. This symbolism is deepened when his grandfather, Lupe, teaches him to play the instrument—the name Lupe means “wolf,” connecting him directly with Los Lobos, which means “the wolves.