Moral of Milagro Beanfield War The Milagro Beanfield War, written by John Nichols, illustrates several themes about life. They range from interactions between rich and poor to the hot, arid agricultural climate of New Mexico. All elements that have significant importance in this famous novel. Perhaps the most important theme represented in this novel is the idea that people should do what is right, regardless of the consequences. People are constantly faced with the choice between right and wrong. What they choose affects not only themselves, but everyone else involved. That's why being true to yourself means being true to everyone. "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I?" (p. 1). This theme accompanies the plot of the entire book. Milagro is a small farming town located in the hot, arid state of New Mexico. Joe Mondragon, a man in his thirties, provided for his wife and two children. He was a farmer, but a farmer without fields. During the Interstate Water Compact of 1935, much of the water was transferred to the fields of large farmers, such as Ladd Devine. This would not have been a problem if not for the fact that Joe's camp was located on the west side of Milagro and all the water flowed southeast. All the people of Milagro were displeased with this change, but none would say or do anything to oppose the Devines. One day, Joe had enough and tapped into the water supply. He knew that irrigating his father's field would cause problems, but he didn't care. Day after day Joe worked in his fields, preparing them for harvest. People from all over the city gathered every day to watch Joe work. While Joe worked in his fields, the Devines devised a plan to get rid of him. They did not like the idea that Joe Mondragon, a simple farmer, had not conformed to their ways. The Devines involved several people to get rid of Joe, but all these people failed to stop Joe from obeying his morals. Bernabe Montoya, the sheriff of the town of Milagro, and Sheriff Kyril Montana, a government official, were assigned to arrest Joe. They worked hard and diligently to arrest him, but time after time they failed.