The Death of Artemio Cruz by Carlos FuentesCarlos Fuentes author of The Death of Artemio Cruz used his novel to show how Mexico was transformed and shaped into its current state through the use of his character Artemio Cruz. Fuentes uses Cruz to glean a historical truth about the greedy capital seekers, robber barons, so to speak, who after the revolution put Mexico right back into the situation it was in before and during the Revolution. Fuentes wrote the novel in 1962, shortly after the Cuban Revolution. Fuentes can express his disappointment with the Mexican Revolution, the revolution of the people in his homeland. The revolution seemed to change nothing for the average person in Mexico; the change that took place was simply a shift in power. Power was transferred to money makers, dishonest politicians, and businessmen who ultimately practiced the very ideas the revolution sought to end. Carlos Fuentes was born on November 11, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight; he was the son of a Mexican diplomat. Carlos was very well educated; he attended schools in Washington D.C., later earned a law degree from the University of Mexico in Mexico City, and also studied abroad at the Institute for Advanced International Studies in Geneva. He has always been inspired by writing; his law degree was simply a way to satisfy his parents. His parents didn't see a future in being a writer. Fuentes was also a very well-rounded traveler, thanks to his father's career Fuentes was able to take a look at other cultures and governments. His travels have taken him throughout Mexico, the United States, Cuba, Europe and, above all, throughout Latin America. He was able to understand how governments worked, how big businesses used people for their own wealth and power. Fuentes was quite disgusted with corrupt governments and big business and actively stood up for what he believed was right. He was very liberal and even joined the communist party at one point. He used his writings to show people around the world the ways in which businesses and government have used and betrayed the average citizen. He was revolutionary in how he was able to use characters in his writings to reveal the big picture and history of his homeland, the country of Mexico.