In his famous essay, Octavio Paz describes how Mexico must navigate and assert itself "in search of itself" against the claims of an overpowering neighbor while staying true to its own traditions. In addition to scholarly research, he aims to highlight economic, social, and cultural issues and shed light on their backgrounds. By reflecting on pre-Columbian, indigenous America on one hand and the contrasting images of foreign cultures on the other, Paz seeks to define the characteristics of an authentic Mexican identity.