LITR 5731: Seminar in American Minority Literature
University of Houston-Clear Lake, fall 2001
Student Research Proposal

Linda Harvey

Hi Dr. White,

I would like to focus my research on the emergence of voice through Mexican American literature. I'll be covering Obj. 1b - "Voiceless and Choiceless" and Obj. 5- to study the influence of minority writers and speakers. I plan to take the journal approach and I may narrow my research to poetry. Through some preliminary research, I have found information on several Mexican American poets: Teresa Palomo Acosta is a poet who was born in McGregor, Texas. Lorna Dee Cervantes is of Mexican and Native American heritage. Americo Paredes was born in Brownsville, Texas.

I'd like to begin with a broad scope and see where my research takes me. I may also include Sandra Cisneros' Woman Hollering Creek and The House on Mango Street.

Do you have any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks,

Linda Harvey

Dear Linda,

This sounds like a good research topic for a journal. A couple of other related topics occur to me for your consideration. One would be the use of Spanish or English or some combination of the languages in Mexican American poetry. I would anticipate some criticisms or even some poetic manifestoes have been written on this subject, as it's so tied up in issues of identity, voice, and audience. Along those lines, I'd appreciate it if you would consider doing some research in the subject of "voice." The word is sort of mystic to us, resembling words like family, in that everyone loves the word and nods when she or he hears it, but the speaker and the listener mean the same thing? There's bound to be some research out there, particularly in feminist criticism, regarding the nature of voice and what it means--or maybe you prefer sticking with the mystic usage, as I have so far.

Another possible area of research could be publishing opportunities for Mexican American or Hispanic poets. Do any journals appeal particularly to this ethnic group and its issues? Keep Arte Publico press at UH-Main Campus in mind.

I look forward to reading your journal and learning more about your topic.