As a first generation immigrant, whose parents immigrated from Mexico, I am able to relate to Sandra Cisneros’ piece “ Woman Hollering Creek” and her experience in Seguin. In this piece, the writing style of the text is unique, in that, it incorporates the use of Spanish words within English sentences that is often referred to as “spanglish”. As a Hispanic immigrant using “spanglish” while speaking was common throughout my childhood, and even today, as I was able to note in her writing. Cisneros shows how she incorporated the use of Spanish words in her daily life as she stated “ one on either side of the house they rented near the arroyo” along with other comments. This demonstrates Cisneros attempt to adapt to her surroundings that I could agree with through my own personal experience. Growing up in a country that is not your native homeland it becomes difficult to balance the Hispanic culture at home and the American culture that surrounded me everyday during school and public areas. The writing style of the piece reflects one of her difficulties as an immigrant that I can relate to because growing up I had to learn how to balance and embrace the American culture as a of respect for the opportunity given to me for being in America as well as my own culture that I lived by. This affected my ability to speak proper English because I would often revert back to Spanish whenever I did not know how to say a word in English instead of attempting to figure it out.
One aspect of the Hispanic culture that has still remains relevant despite how times have changed is the idea of “machismo” that Cisneros touches upon. Machismo is a word that is used to identify a man in the Hispanic culture and his sense of entitlement as well as power in the family. Throughout my experience as an immigrant whether I lived in the United States or in Mexico “machismo” was and is very much alive as I am able to experience it at home. “This husband… demands each course of dinner [to] be served on a separate plate like at his mother’s, as soon as he gets home” represents a common situation of what women must do for men in the Hispanic culture that has also set the roles of women. Cisneros work reflects how the duties of a women have been imposed by each generation and in a way shows how women “know” their position in the household. The men of the family is there to serve as a reminder of their responsibilities. “Machismo” is still alive today as I’m able to experience in my personal life as it is expected of me to make sure that there is food on the table ready as soon as my father walks through the door. “Women Hollering Creek” has been able to capture a glimpse of what it is like to live in the Hispanic culture, but if I were to have been the author I would have added how the typical customs of women are changing as they do way more than just household chores.
I can somewhat relate to the “double consciousness” that results from growing up in a country while identifying with another. Like how Hispanic immigrants use “Spanglish,” Chinese immigrants that immigrate to the United States combines their native tongue with English to form “Chinglish.” The discrepancy between the two cultures that define our being leave us confused and unable to act at times. While I thoroughly enjoyed your empathetic thoughts with Cisneros and the everlasting “Machismo” culture trait, I feel like you could have expanded upon the subject matter of the hypothetical novel you would write.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on balancing both cultures in the US. This is why each culture has their way to blending in with the America culture. Also, You did a good job on explaining machismo. Even I knew nothing about Hispanic culture, I can still understand through your explanations.
ReplyDelete