Monday, 16 April: handout: “The Virgin of Guadalupe”; begin Rudolfo Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima

Web highlight (final exams regarding Mexican American literature): Amber Buitron

Introduction: When I think about Mexican American literature I think of stories written about hardships and obstacles the characters had to overcome in their family, social, and personal lives. The loss of identity, the struggle to “fit in” was, and still is, hard for such a growing ethnic population. The essays I chose highlight just how hard it was for Mexican Americans to find their place in the world.

Essay #1: (2001)

Mexican Americans fall under the same category.  They greatly differ from the dominant culture by their language, culture and dedication to family and religion.   An example of this difference can be seen in Bless Me Ultima, when Tony begins to eat lunch on his first day of school.  All the children pull out their sandwiches, the traditional dominant culture school lunch.  However, Tony's mother had packed him "a small jar of hot beans and some good, green chile wrapped in tortillas" (58).  All of Tony's classmates snicker and laugh at the food of his culture, and make Tony feel like an outcast.  He said that he now could understand what the adults called, "a tristesa de la vida" or "the suffering of my life".  What separated Tony that day was not his genetics but his culture.  [AM]

Essay #2: (2005)

In Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima, Tony Marez constantly witnesses these cultural conflicts between his parents, his friends, his neighbors and within himself.  His mother is clearly a product of an Indian culture and roots her actions with an earthly spirituality.  On the other hand, his father is a once proud descendent of the conquistadors, who openly believe the land is a thing to tame, own and use.  Unlike the American Indian stories, there is no problem of a stolen future.  Instead, the characters seem to have too many choices presented by their pasts, their families expectations and the collision of cultures.  For those of Hispanic origin, the question is never a black or white “assimilation OR resistance” but “how can I have both?” [JC]

Essay #3:

            The Virgin of Guadalupe: Juan Diego is torn by many decisions he is forced to make after being chosen by the Virgin as her messenger.  He is forced to choose between his duty to his family, and his duty to obey the wishes of the Virgin.  In the end, he meets both needs, delivers her message, and as result saves his brother.  This is a metaphor for the choices that Mexican Americans are forced to make, as they attempt to choose between fully assimilating into the dominant culture, and holding onto the traditional values of the Mexican American culture. [KD]

Conclusion: Mexican Americans are in constant struggle to choose between their traditional ways of life, or to assimilate with the dominant culture. Although their choices and possibilities may seem endless, the consequences and repercussions for making the wrong decisions can bring strain and havoc on their everyday lives. So the question still remains for Mexican Americans.. Should you assimilate and adapt to the dominant culture, or stick to the Mexican heritage ways? Still one can only wonder if it’s possible to have both and still be accepted in both societies?