Author Archives: Maria Jimenez

12/2/21

Spanish as a living being.

The poem “My Spanish” by Melissa Lozada-Olivia brings into life “Spanish” as more than a language. From my personal view, I interpreted the poem as full of emotions and  very attached to the author’s heritage. Spanish is not only a language, it goes beyond that. She portrays Spanish as a living being who at the same time has grown up with her and has accompanied her during her life journey. Yet, this companion becomes distant with time and the bond between her Spanish and her  seems to be  getting weak since Spanish is becoming a memory of a painful past of her parents. Therefore, I believe she expresses Spanish as an identity that is becoming a shadow, yet, this shadow will never abandon her fully because her heritage cannot be erased. I found beautiful the fact that Melissa gives personification to Spanish to emphasize her roots and how relevant in her life it became. Personally, I found very touching the way she gave life to it, addressing it as if Spanish was a living being. In addition, the emotions were so powerful and moving. All her poem is very rich in metaphors that offer even more symbolisms and representations of “Spanish” beyond limits. Overall, I think “My Spanish” is a powerful poem carried with deep emotions.

11/25/21

Violence that seems to never stop

The book “Tell Me How it Ends: An Essay in 40 Questions” by Valeria Luiselli is indeed a book full of serous issues taking place in the current world we all live in. One will never be aware of the atrocities  that immigrant children have to go through until one gets more involve on the topic. That’s why I found the book so touching because it makes you realize the seriousness of the current situation and allows one to have a more critical view of it.
Personally, I found the stories of the children quite devastating, but what was even more shocking was the fact that after all these children have been through and get to the U.S border, their pain don’t stop there. They encounter themselves with discrimination and maltreatment from U.S officers. They are placed into the “ice box” as of they were a diseased that must be contained. Additionally, the U.S keeps implementing harsher laws by making it more difficult to get a granted legal status for these children. These kids risk their lives to get to the U.S but they might be deported and all their dangerous trip was for nothing. Even if some of these children make through the court, they will still have to face many challenges. Including when they later on have to acculturate and found themselves vulnerable against racism, violence, bullying, among others. Their whole journey is based on violence and seems to never stop until they find a certain “stability” in their new “home” but the traumas will keep being around these kids.  

11/17/21

“Fiesta” a story of domestic violence and patriarchal values

The short story “Fiesta” by Junnot Diaz is an interesting story narrated by the young main character. However; the character is a kid and the way he is having complicated experiences at his own home, makes the reader to be more sensitive. I found a bit alarming the fact that Yunor, the character, is aware of his own dad cheating on her mother and with cynicism , his dad brings him into her lover’s house a few times. In addition, one can understand that the father is enforcing a patriarchal rule in the house and he is the one who runs everything. Also, Yunor explains how his dad sometimes smacks him or beats him if he misbehaves and the mother seems  not to have enough power to control the father’s temper. From my personal view, I found the story had many intense moments and what makes it more complicated, is the fact that they are an Immigrant family. Personally, I liked the story; however I found tragic that the main character had to deal with constant conflict.

11/1/21

Cinderella’s Secret Dream: an image of female power.

Cinderella’s Secret Dream by Ena Lucia Portela is a short story that constructs very interesting characters. Especially, the protagonist Cleis. The author gave powerful attributes to this character. Cleis is a young smart girl who does not allow men to abuse her. She is not afraid of denying men and she knows what she wants. I found her reaction very impressive when the wealthy man wanted to abuse her and she defended herself. This part of the story portrayed how strong the female character is. Moreover, Cleis’ life is described as quite complicated full of inequality and abuse. Yet, the character fulfils her dream of becoming a radio actress despite the obstacles. This part framed women as capable of being successful if they fight for their dreams. I liked very much how the author, through the creation of Cleis, portrayed a powerful image, emphasizing that no matter what, women are capable of anything.

On the other hand, I found the narrator quite intriguing. It is clear that she is a character witnessing the events of the story, and therefore, tells the story from an engaging perspective. Moreover. I also noticed various library devices, such as simile and metaphors. I quite enjoyed the way the author described and created a powerful context by the use of literary devices. 

Overall, I liked the story very much. I was not expecting such an ending, but I am satisfied with Portela bringing into life a strong female character who trusts in herself and carries power. Cleis represents an image of strength and self-determination; she demonstrates that women should defend themselves and seek their dream independently. Women do not need men to be successful in life.

10/25/21

Woman Hollering Creek: Evidence of masculinity and violence

The short story “Woman Hollering Creek” by Sandra Cisneros, is an evidence of  gendered violence and masculinity. It is indeed tragic how the main character deals with violence enforced by her husband. Yet, she’s not able to contact her family or anyone for seeking help. It is quite surprising how Cleófilas comes from a pacific and carryng  family in Mexico, in where violence was never part of her daily life. Once she gets married, her life shifted completly. She has to face physical and psychological violence. Moreover, the story takes place in a social context that is based  in the benefit of manhood. Society is patriarchal and women are always second. In addition, women are expected to be obedient to their husbands, stay home and not going out without the husband’s permission. A man is expected to be successful and be the financial image of the family. Men are free to go anywhere and buy whatever  they  wish for. Moreover, when it comes to crimes against women, people do not consider that important because of the fact that women are considered inferior. Therefore, one can see how oppressive life is when one is a woman. The short story is  a good example of how gender inequality takes place. I believe in some places, this story is not far from reality. Violence and oppression still exists in many countries. In summary, I found the short story a bit frustrating because of the main character’s struggle of not being able to defend herself when she wanted to. Her oppression represented  for me, a crystal sphere that was constructed by men, yet, when she escapes, that sphere crashed.

10/14/21

Thursday Widows: A tittle that becomes real

The movie Thursday Widows  by Claudia Piñeiro is a complex story full of violence. First of all,  I found quite interesting the title since that is how the group of rich ladies meet every Thursday while their husbands are playing cards. These ladies are called widows because that’s the only day they get away from their “home” life, away from their children, away from being mothers and away from their husbands. These ladies just meet for fun and for free themselves from regular duties. However, I found quite interesting that at the end of the movie, the title “Thursday Widows” actually becomes real. Since three of the Ladies’ husbands die. Interestingly, they commit suicide due to their emptiness, yet the widows believe it was a crime.
The film also emphasizes how rich people seem to have everything but at the same time not everything is perfect for them. Argentina, the country where the movie is taking place, is having a lot of economic issues; people beg for food and violence is taking place. One can understand that Argentina was facing very difficult times and even for rich people it was seen as a threat. Moreover, the fact that there are several scenes of sexual violence within  this rich community, emphasizes that also rich people struggle, and “fine manners”  that are expected from this status  are fallacies.

10/7/21

The Puzzle of the Broken Watch as a frame of Mexican cultural context

The short story “The Puzzle of the Broken Watch” by María Bermúdez shows many cultural contexts through the whole development of the story. Personally, I found quite interesting the way the author starts describing the neighbourhood and the characters of the crime scene. In Mexico, those types of low class neighbourhoods are still seen in some areas, even the description of the victim´s building is quite similar to the ones seen in the country. Furthermore, the way the characters are developed and the way they mention the word “gossip”  several times  is also a symbolic representation of how latin american women are portrayed. Moreover, the fact of the murder being a police officer is a clear image of corruption. This fact in particular is very common in Latin American countries, and unfortunately, Mexico suffers from this type of corruption. I found quite interesting that the author, at the time she wrote the story, she pointed out the corruption that keeps damaging the country until the present day. The characters, specially Lupe, is also a very similar representation of how low class women are stereotyped in Mexico. Therefore, the story, followed by a very engaging plot, is a frame of cultural context during the 1940’s in Mexico; yet the socio-cultural images she portrays are still dominant in the present day.

09/20/21

Cruel reality through history

I personally found “And We Sold the Rain” by Carmen Naranjo as a reflection of what Latin America has suffered through   years since the Spanish conquerors came to colonize the region. The short story reflects the economic struggles, corruption, inequality, selfishness, cynicism and inferiority . As well as a clear dominance from superior countries. The story touches these themes quite smoothly and makes the reader understand that countries like Costa Rica are not progressing because of their rulers, ignorance and submission to powerful countries. Therefore, I believe the story portrays common scenarios that Latin America keeps facing and has not stopped, and who knows when it will stop. Repetitive factors keep running in this region and it is not letting these countries to grow and be economically independent. Since the Spanish conquest, one can see that Latinos were and still are suppressed, and considered inferior because their countries are tagged as underdeveloped . And dominant countries want it that way, in order to have more advantage and control over these countries. Moreover, through history, one can learn that Latin America lacks development, good life quality, economic efficiency, strong government, education,  among other factors. Meaning that history has taught us that Latin America has struggled since ancient times due to the supremacy of the dominant countries that do not want this region to grow. In addition to this, at the end of the story, things seem to be improving; however another issue takes place and ruins everything. And this is what I mean by repetitive patrons that are blocking Latinos to keep growing unless someone decides to break the toxic circle of submission and fight for a change. In conclusion, the short story from my point of view, portrays the previous and current struggles that Latin America faces that started to take place since the Spanish conquest until the present day. Latinos are tied to dominant countries and will continue like that until someone decides to break the chains.