The American War of Independence is the expulsion of the intrusive elements, alien to the American essence. If American reality is the reinvention of itself, whatever is found in any way irreducible or unassimilable is not American.

Octavio Paz’s quote examines the American War of Independence as a pivotal moment in the formation of a unique American identity. Paz suggests that the war was not merely a conflict for political freedom, but also a process of expulsion—the removal of intrusive elements that were deemed foreign or alien to the American way of life. The quote implies that the war was integral to shaping an American essence, one that sought to assert itself by rejecting outside influences and creating a distinct national character.

The phrase "reinvention of itself" points to the idea that America was not simply a continuation of European traditions or values but a complete reimagining of what it meant to be a nation. Paz highlights the importance of self-definition, where the struggle for independence was also a struggle to define what America would become, independent of its colonial past. This process of reinvention was seen as essential for creating a nation that could stand on its own, free from foreign domination.

The quote further underscores Paz's view that anything that could not be assimilated or integrated into this new vision of America was considered foreign or incompatible with the country's core identity. The phrase "irreducible or unassimilable" suggests that elements of culture, values, or beliefs that could not adapt to the evolving American reality were rejected as being un-American. This reflects a more nationalistic view of identity, where the formation of a homogeneous national culture was a key goal following independence.

Paz’s perspective on the American War of Independence is rooted in his broader views on nationalism and cultural identity. By emphasizing the need for assimilation and the rejection of foreign elements, he portrays the war not just as a political struggle, but as a foundational moment for defining a cohesive, unified national identity that would be free from external influence or interference.