SPAN 365: The Chicano Narrative
Course Description
Focuses on the reading and analysis of selected Chicano writers whose literary works have left a distinctive mark on Chicano Literature. Emphasizes the understanding of Chicano cosmology (society, culture, behavior and values) through the literary texts. No prior knowledge of Spanish required. (Prereq: Junior or Senior Standing)
Meets MLO
Focuses on the reading and analysis of selected Chicano writers whose literary works have left a distinctive mark on Chicano Literature. Emphasizes the understanding of Chicano cosmology (society, culture, behavior and values) through the literary texts. No prior knowledge of Spanish required. (Prereq: Junior or Senior Standing)
Meets MLO
Course Reflective Narrative
SPAN 365: The Chicano Narrative
This course focused on the study of the literary works of Latin American authors, led us to know widely the social, political and cultural problems faced by the Chicano community in the 1960s. Most of these writers, such as Rodolfo González, Tomás Rivera, Rudolfo Anaya, and José Antonio Villareal, among others, had a great impact on the Chicano movement that fought for the rights of Mexican-American citizens. In class, I had the opportunity to read from 7 to 8 novels by these authors; all of them reflect common themes such as emigration, discrimination, and difficulties of adapting to the American culture.
For example, in the novel " Y no se lo tragó la Tierra", written by Tomás Rivera, narrates specific issues such as the religious conflict of migrants who sometimes blame God for the suffering they face when they arrive in the United States. It is not difficult to understand the attitude of Mexican emigrants since it is not easy to adapt to a new country and a new culture, especially when there are many factors against them such as language and lack of education.
Continuing with the short stories and novels of Latin American authors, “Pocho” was another reading that made me reflect on how difficult life was for some migrant families in the United States, facing all kinds of conflicts, both cultural and religious, trying to find their own identity in a country with different culture.
Personally, I identified myself with the story of Juan Manuel Rubio, father of Richard, the protagonist of "Pocho" in the novel. Like him, I came to this country looking for a better quality of life for my family; I worked hard for many years in the agricultural fields of Salinas California to support my family; my daughters also suffered like Richard, the protagonist in "Pocho" struggling to learn English and facing cultural conflicts for their Hispanic heritage, trying to find their own identity and working hard to achieve their Bachelor degree in California State University Monterey Bay. The dream of most of the characters in the Chicano novels was to achieve the American dream, to achieve a better life condition; the same dreams that one day forced me to abandon my family, and my country.
This course focused on the study of the literary works of Latin American authors, led us to know widely the social, political and cultural problems faced by the Chicano community in the 1960s. Most of these writers, such as Rodolfo González, Tomás Rivera, Rudolfo Anaya, and José Antonio Villareal, among others, had a great impact on the Chicano movement that fought for the rights of Mexican-American citizens. In class, I had the opportunity to read from 7 to 8 novels by these authors; all of them reflect common themes such as emigration, discrimination, and difficulties of adapting to the American culture.
For example, in the novel " Y no se lo tragó la Tierra", written by Tomás Rivera, narrates specific issues such as the religious conflict of migrants who sometimes blame God for the suffering they face when they arrive in the United States. It is not difficult to understand the attitude of Mexican emigrants since it is not easy to adapt to a new country and a new culture, especially when there are many factors against them such as language and lack of education.
Continuing with the short stories and novels of Latin American authors, “Pocho” was another reading that made me reflect on how difficult life was for some migrant families in the United States, facing all kinds of conflicts, both cultural and religious, trying to find their own identity in a country with different culture.
Personally, I identified myself with the story of Juan Manuel Rubio, father of Richard, the protagonist of "Pocho" in the novel. Like him, I came to this country looking for a better quality of life for my family; I worked hard for many years in the agricultural fields of Salinas California to support my family; my daughters also suffered like Richard, the protagonist in "Pocho" struggling to learn English and facing cultural conflicts for their Hispanic heritage, trying to find their own identity and working hard to achieve their Bachelor degree in California State University Monterey Bay. The dream of most of the characters in the Chicano novels was to achieve the American dream, to achieve a better life condition; the same dreams that one day forced me to abandon my family, and my country.
Final Course Work
pocho_analisis_critico__between_two_worlds1.pdf |