Introverts and Extroverts: A Forgotten Virtue of the Need for Both

"It is the blood of the Lunas to be quite, for only a quiet man can learn the secrets of the earth that are necessary to planting."

Rudolfo Anaya (Bless Me, Ultima 41)

Specifically speaking of the Luna's, mother's side of the family, the farmers, the students, the content, can also be referred to as the growers or learners. This can also be argued from the quote that the "quiet man learns the secrets of the earth [which] are necessary to [growth]."

We then reason that only a quiet person can learn the secrets to life that are necessary for growth and learning. Though this is only half of the quote focusing on the Luna's side of the family, this reasoning can be absolutely true for them. 

A recent TED talk by Susan Cain reiterates this same reasoning and giving evidence to why the act of being quiet for some people means growth as much as for some people who thrive being in the spotlight grow just as equally.

She gave a talk called "The Power of Introverts," which was based off of her recent book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking which emphasized the fact that it is okay to be alone. Especially in society today where everything is always going, always in action, but this is not how all people thrive. Historically some of the greatest people who changed the world like Gandhi were not necessarily great because of what he did among people but because of necessary time alone he had to create these grand thoughts and acts. Introverts thrive in the quite of the world--that is where they feel most alive—that is where their growth happens.

She then echoes this in a quote saying: 

“There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.”

The main character Antonio thrives in the ways of his mother's family, but this does not make him inferior to his father’s more 'extrovert' way but that is how he grows. He grows in the quite.

Growth is different for all. Certain plants grow better in different areas, each is essential, but each requiring different means to become their complete full potential.