In 1691, writing within the transatlantic space of the colonial empire, Mexican author Carlos Sigüenza y Góngora uses his protagonist's adventures to explore the relationship between social recognition, law, and lawlessness as these concepts are represented in Los infortunios de Alonso Ramírez. After experiencing lawlessness at sea Alonso receives social recognition as a creole subject welcomed at the urban center of mainland Mexico by the viceroy of New Spain. Alonso's arrival in Mexico City and his immediate acceptance by the viceroy at the end of the narrative evidence a notable relationship between the law, social recognition, and geographic urban space.