SPAN 365: Reflective Narrative
In this class we read a variety of novels by different Chicano authors, and we analyze their story plots, structures, themes, characters and settings. Some of the titles that we read are Pocho, Y No Se lo Tragó la Terra, Bendiceme Última, Muerte en el Desierto and many others.
The topics of all these authors were very different. The most recurrent theme was migration. The authors explain how difficult has been for the characters to adapt into a different culture. These novels were written in different years, but the same sense of discrimination and the process into assimilation of a new culture is a common theme for all the protagonists of these stories.
There are other subtopics that also appear in these novels but they differ according the years that the novels were written. The first novel talks about the work in the fields and the poor labor conditions that the workers had in their companies. Many of these workers migrate to the United States because of the Mexican Revolution and its effects, and they lived a life of very low quality. In addition to this situation, it was difficult for the second generation to adapt to the American culture and they suffered discrimination because of their Mexican heritage, traditions and skin color. Migration is the main subject for the Chicano authors and they reveal many characteristics that this phenomenon has: the death in the desert when “Los Coyotes” abandon the people that were trying to cross the border, the miserable life that some people have in the border cities, and many other factors that threaten the people that is traveling to “El Norte” in a search of a better future.
Other novels emphasize in the cultural traditions that the Chicanos have preserved over the years. Religion was one of the most recurrent topics. The eternal question of the existence of God and why it seems he forgets his children when they are facing calamities is an important issue for these writers. The influence of other religious beliefs and different philosophical currents makes the characters of the novels question their connection and fidelity to the religion of their ancestors. Also some novels talk about ancient legends and interesting subjects, such as witchery and evil spirits (la llorona). Sexuality is another recurrent topic because in Mexican culture to talk about this human conduct is considered a sin or a taboo. Machismo and feminism are other recurrent topics that the Chicano authors write about in the pages of their books.
This course is highly recommended for the lovers of literature. We can discover a very different style of writing, and many of the novels we read in this course are really interesting and enjoyable to read.
The topics of all these authors were very different. The most recurrent theme was migration. The authors explain how difficult has been for the characters to adapt into a different culture. These novels were written in different years, but the same sense of discrimination and the process into assimilation of a new culture is a common theme for all the protagonists of these stories.
There are other subtopics that also appear in these novels but they differ according the years that the novels were written. The first novel talks about the work in the fields and the poor labor conditions that the workers had in their companies. Many of these workers migrate to the United States because of the Mexican Revolution and its effects, and they lived a life of very low quality. In addition to this situation, it was difficult for the second generation to adapt to the American culture and they suffered discrimination because of their Mexican heritage, traditions and skin color. Migration is the main subject for the Chicano authors and they reveal many characteristics that this phenomenon has: the death in the desert when “Los Coyotes” abandon the people that were trying to cross the border, the miserable life that some people have in the border cities, and many other factors that threaten the people that is traveling to “El Norte” in a search of a better future.
Other novels emphasize in the cultural traditions that the Chicanos have preserved over the years. Religion was one of the most recurrent topics. The eternal question of the existence of God and why it seems he forgets his children when they are facing calamities is an important issue for these writers. The influence of other religious beliefs and different philosophical currents makes the characters of the novels question their connection and fidelity to the religion of their ancestors. Also some novels talk about ancient legends and interesting subjects, such as witchery and evil spirits (la llorona). Sexuality is another recurrent topic because in Mexican culture to talk about this human conduct is considered a sin or a taboo. Machismo and feminism are other recurrent topics that the Chicano authors write about in the pages of their books.
This course is highly recommended for the lovers of literature. We can discover a very different style of writing, and many of the novels we read in this course are really interesting and enjoyable to read.
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