Pocho
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JosT Antonio Villareal, in his novel Pocho, examines the subject of assimilation as it applies to the experiences of Richard Rubio and his parents and sisters. The Rubios are Mexicans attempting to start a new life in the United States, and the novel chronicles the difficulties they face. Because the story focuses on Richard, it is as much a coming-of-age story as one about assimilation. In fact, assimilation involves a coming-of-age for adults as well as children, for the need to adapt to the new culture, while holding onto as much of the old culture as possible, results in a "new" individual as much as coming-of-age does. The author presents the subject of assimilation realistically, without romantic illusions about the degree to which the Mexican characters maintain their own culture in the midst of American culture. The Rubios are a family whose lives are shaped by the seasons and the crops. Not only do they work hard for little money or security, they also must face life as strangers in a strange land, especially in the winter months when most Mexicans leave the area of Santa Clara. In the summer, their connection with Mexicans and Mexican culture is easier to maintain because of the return of other families to pick crops (42). Richard is of the younger generation which is losing contact with Mexican culture, slowly but surely. He hears his father and the other men tell stories of Mexico, but "the tales of that strange country . . . seemed to him a land so distant
. . .
uch as he can of his Mexican heritage.
The relationships between Richard and his mother and father are in a state of constant flux in the new land, but, again, this is as much due to his coming-of-age as it is to the forces of assimilation. In his talk with his mother (60-66), he expresses the view that tradition puts a severe limitation on him. He does not automatically accept the American Dream, which is based primarily on making money and acquiring possessions and improving the financial lot of the next generation of the family. He wants more out of life, to travel, to experience all he can. Even in such a state of mind, however, he draws on his Mexican tradition, referring to the saying that "life is only a breath" (64).
Richard begins to think for himself about religion, about what he believes and what he doesn't believe. He does not reject the Church and its teachings from a purely rebellious perspective, but is determined to examine those teachings to see what he believes and does not (65). Part of this change is due to Richard simply growing up, and part of it is due to his living in a world which is far less dogmatic about religion than was Mexico.
In the area of gender, Richard is the son of his father. That is, he
. . .
Some common words found in the essay are:
Mexican American, American Dream, Rubios Mexicans, Roman Catholicism, United Richard, Mexicans Mexican, Mexico American, Richard's Richard, Mexican-American Richard, Juan Rubio, mexican culture, subject assimilation, mexican american, process assimilation, brainwashed macho, mexican tradition, believes doesn't, mother father, connection mexican, jost antonio,
Approximate Word count = 1428
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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