Trina Silva

PART I - Web Review

Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover

Samuel Mathis

12 March 2010

The Presence of Song in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon

Julie Garza

April 17, 2010

Culture and Identity in Mexican American Literature: Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima

Rachel Risinger

March 17, 2010

All the Money in the World Will Not Buy You Any Class.

One thing I have always found difficult is to not judge a book by its cover. I have always found myself checking out books from the library based on their title and cover art, from there it was always a gamble whether or not what was inside was good reading. This web review is no different. The three postings I chose were chosen based on their title because it is something I am interested in possibly expanding on for my personal research project.

In Mathis’s research posting I was drawn to the title because the use of song is such an interesting way to pass history from generation to generation. It is seen in the chorus’s in Greek literature and I can relate to it because in my Mexican heritage it is seen in the corridos. I especially loved the line that said, “…Morrison’s characters use music as a means of identifying and dealing with traumatic experiences they encounter,” many artists use music as an outlet and as a way to tell their story. Visvis’s arguments were very interesting to hear, especially the blues as a form of psychotherapy. I am curious to know how the two opposing arguments on whether the tone of the music in Song of Solomon was more jazz-like or more blues-like. I wish that Mathis had done his own research to see what the differences and similarities are between the two types of music besides the sound which cannot be heard in words in a book. To me jazz is sultrier while blues is sadder. Personally I would have to agree that Visvis’s take on the musical tone is more correct. Mathis also states that “From the very beginning of our readings, music has played an important role in the African American community understanding and asserting itself in the dominant white culture.” I would have loved to have a couple of examples given from other minority narratives. Overall I feel Mathis’s research post touched on excellent points but unfortunately didn’t dig deeper. 

I was interested in Garza’s research post because I feel that Anaya’s book Bless Me, Ultima gives the dominant culture a chance to learn, relate to and understand the Latino-American culture. I am interested in learning more about my heritage and learning the thoughts on Anaya’s work from other students. I like how Garza cites where she got her work from and the objectives she is referring to. Garza’s statement that culture will be lost if it is not “reinforced daily” seems a bit farfetched to me, I don’t believe cultural traditions need to be enforced daily; however, I do believe traditions need to be practiced often; however, often is a hard word to define. I agreed with Garza’s analysis that as the generations go by the native culture is diminished or disappear altogether and felt that I could personally relate to her research. Reading this post made me interested in possibly investigating this further for research of my own. Overall I feel that Garza expressed herself very well through her writing and broke it down so that it was easily read and interpreted by the reader.

Risinger’s research post was interesting because the title relayed a truth I find myself thinking about often but not talking about. Initially when reading the title I thought of class as in “classy lady”. I thought to myself, you can have all the money in the world and buy the finest material things but what really determines a classy person is their character. Upon reading Risinger’s research post I realized she meant class as in a person’s position in society. I found the points she brought up to be very interesting, especially the point where she said a white person of lower economic status in the south is held to a higher level than a black person  in the south. Risinger’s research was interesting and her writing style was understandable and made me want to know more. I related to some of the points she made because I myself have encountered racial bias with my own parents' beliefs on who is a better suited match for me. It is a touchy issue that is usually swept under the rug. This issue is one I myself am not comfortable talking about publicly, so kudos to Risinger for doing a good job of gathering facts and addressing a very sensitive issue in a tasteful and educating way.

PART II – Essay Assignment

I Am Woman Hear Me Roar!

I would not consider myself a feminist by any means whatsoever yet here I find myself focusing my essay on feminist issues which is hard for me not to do since Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon is filled with such strong women characters.  My inspirations for writing this essay are specifically the character Pilate in Song of Solomon, the poem "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou and the slave narrative by Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in Life of a Slave Girl. I was moved by the portrayal of the African-American women in these works.

Song of Solomon was a book I had never read nor even heard of previous to this class and I would have to say that it is now what I would consider one of my favorite books. Toni Morrison did an excellent job of conveying the thoughts and emotions of all of her characters. My particular interest is in the character Pilate. I was initially drawn to Pilate because of how different she seemed from the rest of the Dead family. Pilate’s character not only drew the other characters to her because of her mysterious demeanor and genuineness, which was seen in her hospitality and unconditional love shown toward her family, but also drew the reader in as well. Pilate came off to the reader as a strong woman who did what she could to survive. She made her living making booze at a time where it was not deemed as appropriate for women’s work. Throughout the book Pilate is referred to as a large woman who exudes a powerfulness not usually associated with women. While Pilate’s character was not considered the social norm for women of that time she knew “her role” (so to speak). Pilate conveyed confidence and a sort of arrogance yet knew when it was time to play the role of a weaker black woman. Upon reading the part in the book where she puts on “Aunt Jemima act” is when Objective 2a, women of color being double minorities became most evident to me.  Pilate knew when to set her pride aside to get what she needed from the dominant culture, a world that was run by the white man. 

I had heard “Still I Rise” prior to this class and unfortunately never really listened to the words or felt their impact. After hearing and reading the words to the poem again for this class I was taken aback by the emotion I felt. I felt connected to the poem as a woman, I felt I could relate. There was a point in the poem where I could no longer relate because although I am considered a “woman of color,” I am not a black woman. I could see myself and my fellow Latinas in this poem because it embodies women’s empowerment. I could relate to the poem up until the point when it says, “Out of the huts* of history's shame…”  This poem brings to light once again not only women’s struggles but the struggles an African-American woman deals with (objective 2a).  “Still I Rise” was also full of imagery which made me think of objective 1d, the “color code.”  While the only actual color said in the poem is “gold” there is so much more color that can be seen, for example, when Angelou says oil wells I saw the color black, when she says dirt and dust I see brown. These colors I envisioned while reading made me associate it with the many shades women of color embody.  The adjectives “sassiness,” “haughtiness” and “sexiness” I feel can exemplify any woman which is why I feel many women can relate to this poem, yet there are feelings and struggles only the African-American women understand and that women of the dominant culture never will.

In Incidents in Life of a Slave Girl, Jacob’s exemplified a “double minority”, she was not only a slave, she was a woman slave which made her fall victim to more than a male slave (14.6).  Women slaves were mothers and had a special bond with her children that no man could understand, so when it came time that her children were taken away and sold the feelings she felt could never be understood by a man (3.7). Women slaves also had to protect themselves by playing the game right with their male masters, to give in to sexual situations that saved them from enduring other pains such as beatings or death (5.4). In many situations being a woman slave was a constant battle of self morals and dignity to survive which Jacobs described in her narrative (5.3).  The color code is mentioned quite a few times in Incidents, Jacobs mentions several times the color of her family’s skin and also states that no matter how light or dark a slave is, they are still a slave and must do as they are ordered.  Even as a woman asking her mistress who is a woman and essentially on the same “team” for empathy would be out of the question.  Although they are both women, one is a slave and one is the owner which is the downfall of being a double minority and sets them very much a part.  Jacob’s mistress shows disdain and hatred toward her even though she is a victim to her master.  Although Jacob’s narrative seems to be a very sad one that tells the story of a victim she can still be seen as a strong woman who took control of her life by doing things such as taking on a white lover and teaching herself to read.

While it can be seen that these three works portray women of color as a double minority which is an obviously negative connotation, I like to think of the portrayal of women of color in these works as a positive way to view these women. To me, while yes these women have had a lifetime of struggles they have maintained strength and learned to use their femininity to their advantage and learned to take pride in their womanhood and culture. These portrayals of women in these minority narratives provide excellent examples to women who read it. The lesson learned here is that it is possible to be a strong woman and it is possible to fight and overcome obstacles even with a negative label such as “double minority.”

Objectives:

1d. “The Color Code”

2a. Women of Color - double minorities

PART III - Research Proposal

Songs vs. Mysticism: What is the more interesting of the two?

My proposal for my research project is to do research two research posts. I am particularly interested in the use of song in the minority narrative. I first became interested in this subject when I read Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon. Song is used to convey emotion and as a way to preserve history. I am also interested in the Hispanic culture’s use of corridos to remember history. Being a lover of the arts, I feel especially drawn to this area.

Depending on how much information I find on the use of song in the minority narrative will determine whether my second posting will go further into detail about it. If perchance I need another topic to research I am interested in delving into the use of mysticism in the minority narrative. The character Pilate in Song of Solomon got me particularly interested in this area. Pilate helps Ruth conceive by giving her a potion. I am also interested in the character Ultima, who is a curandera in Bless Me, Ultima. I became interested in this subject after I myself made a visit to a curandera for the first time this year.

I must admit that I am particularly torn between choosing to research song usage in the minority narrative and mysticism in the minority narrative. Would it behoove me to focus on one versus the other, or try to tackle both subjects? Or, is there a way to bring the two subjects together? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.