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

David Miller

Dr. White

As we discussed last Tuesday, I would like to write a research journal using the works of Richard Rodriguez as a focus. I have already found a wealth of information relevant to many of the topics of class discussion in his books, Hunger of Memory, and Days of Obligation, An Argument with My Mexican Father. In these two mostly autobiographical books, he discusses not only his life, but also the inherent tensions between Mexico and the United States, between Mexico and her politics, between Mexico and Spain and how this tension still affects daily life in Mexico, as well as numerous additonal topics. There is also a huge canon of topical essays and transcripts from NPR and PRI that focus on his commentary. At this point in my reading, I am convinced that more than sufficient material exists on which to base a journal of this type.

At this point, I am aware that my focus is not quite as exact as I would like; however, it should take on a more concrete form as I continue to read his works. My main interest areas thus far are the relationships between the political and historical conflicts that have been and are still quite contentious today. One particular point of interest that I know I will pursue is the conflict of "you's" he mentions in his second book; this conflict, which is still a bit murky right now, in Spanish involves the distinction in positioning between "tu" and "usted." Another that is very interesting is the conflict between Protestant and Catholic ideals. Rodriguez makes an offhand remark about Freemasonry and how it figures into the social and religious equation, an area of extreme interest to me personally.

Do you feel that this avenue of exploration is worthwhile? If so, is there a direction or focus you can envision that I have not yet stumbled upon?

David Miller

Dear David,

We just chatted in the hallway, so I'll briefly review. A journal seems right for the various facets of this complex personality, especially as he enjoys all the contradictions he brings into focus.

For the "tu" and "usted" issue, Hunger of Memory discusses his culture's distinction between the private and public worlds.

Protestant and Catholic issues really do open a lot of possibilities. The Neoconservative movement of the 80s and 90s, though hardly monolithic, had many Catholics at its intellectual core who invoked a new emphasis on family, life, heterosexuality in response to Protestant pragmatism, utilitarianism, and rationalism, which tend to regard nothing as particularly sacred beyond its moment in history. (This dimension of Protestantism shouldn't be confused with Evangelicalism, though Evangelicals are good at living in both worlds at once.) I don't know where to go with the Freemasonry issue, except that it may play into issues of rationalism and openness. Most of the anti-Masonic movement of the early 19th century was opposed to Masons' secrecy or occultism. I can't remember where or how Masons and Catholics line up--were Masons anti-Catholic?

I'd also consider some investigation of Rodriguez as a Shakespearean scholar. He refers to Shakespeare often in his NPR essays.