How did the emotional distances Reyna Grande experienced with her father, and mother affect her life and push her to become a highly renowned writer? The memoir The Distance Between Us follows a girl named Reyna Grande and her experiences both in the United States of America, and in Iguala, Mexico. Early in her childhood her parents chose to leave Mexico in pursuit of financial stability, and a stable home, but due to complications they could not take their children. Since the children had to be left behind, an emotional distance grew between the kids, and their parents.. The cultural distance Reyna Grande experienced affected her writing, allowing her to become an excellent and famed writer, the emotional distance Reyna Grande had with her …show more content…
The cultural distance between Reyna Grande and the United States of America was what differentiated Reyna Grande’s life from her siblings Carlos and Mago. The three siblings had very different paths in life, Mago the oldest had attended college for some years but ultimately dropped out due to the influence of the culture around her, the culture of going out, partying, and having lavish clothes driven by Mago’s desire to be like her coworkers. Carlos had decided to get Davila 2 married and had no chance to go off to college. Both siblings had an easier time adjusting to the new culture they had been exposed to in the United States of America, and therefore were more influenced by it, rather than their father’s teachings. The influence of American culture can be seen in chapter 17 part two page 254 “Instead she talked about looking for a full time job and buying herself a car and pretty clothes. She wanted to go out with her coworkers, who spent the weekends dancing at clubs.” The effect of the culture Mago had been exposed to led her astray of a higher education, this would lessen her opportunities in life. Reyna however had a cultural difference with the United States Of America, this prevented her from ending up like her siblings who had been led astray from their father’s teachings of pursuing a higher education. Reyna Grande struggled to …show more content…
Alternatively, Reyna Grande also developed her writing skills in order to find solace she could not find in people, this becomes evident later in the memoir based on her writing being considered advanced by instructors such as Dr Savas. Cultural distances were not the only factor in her life, the emotional distance Reyna Grande had with her parents was often shown by Reyna Grande to be her father’s lack of attention towards her, this caused Reyna Grande to seek out attention from her father through her academics. In the memoir, Reyna Grande states a value that was instilled in her by her father was school. Reyna Grande, from a young age, was told of the importance of having good grades. In chapter eleven part two page 216, Reyna’s father clearly states “Here in this country if you aren’t educated, you won’t make it very far, school is key to the
The book “The distance between us” is the story of immigration written by Reyna Grande. The book recounts her true personal story before and after entering the United States. The story shows how poverty and parenting impacts the family. Grande was 2years old when her dad left her, 4 years old when her mom (Juana) left her and her two siblings (Mago and Carlos) with her grandmother in the Mexico. Since, then she was seeking her parents either her dad or mom in the story. Her illegal and undocumented entry in the United States depicits the struggles and challenges she faced while crossing the border. After she arrived in the United States she found that living in the U.S was not that easy what she has dreamed for and “The man behind the glass” was not like that what she had met before. Her siblings were angry because of their not supportive mother and abusive father which weaken their intimacy in the family. Instead, Mago her elder
She learned to read and write at school, but that doesn't mean that other obstacles weren't thrown her way. “I am the only daughter in a Mexican family of six sons”. Being the only daughter meant that she would be spending a lot of time to herself, she needed something to keep her occupied. Who knew that writing would be the answer. When she was in fifth grade and decided to share her plans for college with her father, he had said “Que bueno, mija”. The problem is that her father had envisioned another path for her. “What I didn't realize was that my father thought college was good for girls- for finding a husband”. Just imagine how hard it was for her to go against her father's wishes and continue to follow her true calling.
On one hand we can see that she pushes back and challenges her tradition on the other hand it is difficult to not see emotion expressed by herself when she is alone. One scene that does do this is when she is buying condoms for the first time but does not know what to purchase. This small but significant scene revels that although she is strong and ready she also needs guidance through her path of adulthood. She is able to ask a pharmacist for advice but not her own mother. This lack of connection to be open up to mothers is emphasized enough to create awareness that young Mexican American women need someone to talk to and it should preferably be their
It is influenced by her grandmother, Esperanza Ortega’s life story and her experience from when she fled from Mexico to California. While it may be a fictional story, it is personally inspired by a close family member who lived through similar challenges. In addition, I appreciate how the author has done extensive historically based social research to allow the story to be as authentic as possible. Moreover, I chose this novel because it takes place during the Great Depression period focusing on the agricultural labor camps. I have no previous knowledge specifically in this area, and would like to learn and understand how this certain place and era affected people’s lives, society, environment, and
“Mama looked at Esperanza with eyes that said, “forgive me.” Then she dropped her head and stared at the ground. I will consider your proposal,” said Mama”. (Ryan 45). Shortly after her dad died, Esperanza’s mother has been asked to marry Tio Luis, (her husbands brother). This not only affects her mother, it affects her as well. One shouldn’t have to go through certain situations. It’s difficult because it may seem like her mother has a choice, but she truly doesn’t. If the culture wasn’t Mexican, aspects would be completely different. “She watched and wondered how she would fit into this world”. (Ryan 101). If it were a different culture, Esperanza wouldn’t have to marry a stranger, and her family wouldn’t have to speed through their problems. If the culture was American for instance, Esperanza wouldn’t have to get married at a young age.In this novel, English is often used. “Please, Mama,” she begged, “You must eat more soup”. (Ryan 170). When they fled to California, they experienced new things. In America, the majority of citizens speaks English. Esperanza and her family are exposed to a completely divergent culture. In Mexico, they’re used to perceiving spanish, but since they’re in America now, they’re perceiving mainy
Within the memoir The Distance Between Us the author, Reyna Grande provides details about her two grandmothers, Abuelita Chinta and Abuela Evila. They both reside in rundown houses in Mexico, while their children , Reyna’s parents try to start life in the United States. They have very little money and struggle to provide for the abundance of people living in their cramped houses. Despite the fact that their situation is similar Reyna prefers living with one over the other.
Reyna Grande 's novel, Across a Hundred Mountains, focuses on the dynamic of the development and rethinking of the concept of a traditional Latino patriarchal family built up around male dominance. In low income and uneducated cultures, there are set of roles that throughout time have been passed by from generation to generation. These gender roles most often consist of the men being the breadwinner for the family. While the women stay home to cook, clean, and raise the children. Women are treated as possessions with limited rights and resources. Throughout the novel, Grandes challenges gender roles in the story of a young woman named Juana who, despite all adversity, fights stereotypes and is able to rewrite her own ending.
Both Chang Rae-Lee and Amy Tan use their articles to illustrate the impact their mothers had on creating a respectable ethos as a writer. Lee and Tan are authentic and true, which are great values instilled by a mother that shine through in their writing. These articles are great examples of how much a writer’s ethos contributes to his/her overall argument. As said by Lee, "Having been raised in an immigrant family,…[one sees] everyday the exacting price and power of language…" (Lee 584).
She felt that breaking the standards placed on her by her cultural norms it would displease her tradition loving father. He felt that Cisneros should find a husband and not focus on her education so much. Cisneros writes “I am the only daughter in the Mexican family of six sons” (Cisneros 366). This not only exemplifies the internal family issues of being the only female, but also the external problems of the norms placed on women in a Hispanic culture to be an ideal wife. Tan’s essay emphasized the fact that her race, gender, education and up-bringing played a role in people knowing her writing, even though she does not want it to.
Even though Yolanda has a more stable financial household her parents are just as demanding as Mari’s. They require Yolanda to stay focused on school so she can be able to attend college and achieve a high a paying career. Traditional ideas of ‘if you work hard enough you can achieve it’ are presented in the film. Expectations of family are high for Yolanda as she comes from an immigrant family. The need for Yolanda to succeed is crucial as it defines the American dream her parents want her to obtain. Yolanda is faced with an obligation to achieve the American dream her parents so hard worked for. Deviating from these expectations translates into an ungrateful daughter that does not care about what family thinks. Family, for most Latinos is the most important thing. Adding to this idea is being an immigrant; where family is the only thing we have, and know. Keeping the family together is one of the main points in Yolanda’s household; we can conclude that it might be more important than achieving the American dream.
Imagine being born into a rich, wealthy family, where your last name is respected and well-known by many. To say, living in a big, beautiful house and able to wear fancy silk dresses, so fortunate, that you have servants to cook and clean for you, and every year when it’s your birthday, it’s celebrated big, just as Esperanza Ortega did. Throughout the story of Esperanza Rising the author Pam Munoz Ryan ( 2013) illustrates an image to the reader of a young, rich, Mexican girl who is forced to mature and grow up much faster than expected. Correspondly, at the beginning of the book, Esperanza lives a rich life, to say, she had it “all,” but a sudden tragedy quickly changed her and her family’s life, whereas by the end of the story, Esperanza
Rizga shows her understanding of her audience through the use of appeals, reinforcement of thesis, and lead-in to the introduction. Rizga demonstrates strong audience awareness by telling the story of Maria, a Salvadorian girl newly arrived to the United States. Rizga writes about Maria’s struggles in her country as well as the struggles she was faced with upon arriving to the United States, which appeals to the audience’s emotions. Rhee, however, has a very weak appeal, “As a parent, I understand that problem.” Unlike Rhee, Rizga immediately begins her article with Maria being bullied in school for not knowing English. Rhee, on the other hand, just simply states that she is a parent with a daughter of her own. All throughout Rizga’s article, she makes sure to reinforce her thesis. Rizga does this by saying that the school “is among the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools in the country.” She also states that the school has an 88 percent college acceptance rate and asks the question “Was this what a failing school looked like?” Rhee, however, is constantly contradicting herself which therefore goes against her argument. Unlike Rhee, who contradicts herself, Rizga is constantly connecting everything she says with her thesis. Rhee, on the other hand, completely contradicts herself when saying “Standardized tests don’t accurately measure how students are learning and many other indicators exist. That’s absolutely
Additionally, she stresses that the values of her childhood helped her to develop respect for different people. Her father influenced her a lot to feel comfortable just the way she is around her hometown; ...
In this chapter Reyna is reunited with her father, however she is disappointed of their detachment. Even though, she has complicated relationships with both of her parents with the inclusion of this scene the reader learns of the relationship between her and Mago. To Reyna this sisterhood bond is valuable and fundamental to Reyna’s growth. Due to the emotional distance between Reyna and her parents the siblings foster a stronger bond as an act of resilience against their complex relationships with their parents. Taking in consideration the achievements of Reyna Grande as an author, aside of growing up in poverty and the difficult relationship with her parents is an act of personal resilience. By sharing her story Grande can foster community resilience for those that find representation in her work. Also, due to her vulnerability and act of letting the reader into her healing process, her narrative creates a sense of empathy in the reader and for those with similar experiences solidarity and
...an-American culture has differences from American. Mexican-Americans are very family-orientated so much that they identify themselves as familial instead of individualized or spiritual as other cultures do. The culture has changed over time and is receiving less opposition from Americans as they have in the past. Immigration demographics can be used to see how America is becoming more homogenous accepting Mexican-Americans and eliminating discrimination because of ethnicity. Selena gave great insight into her culture and created some understanding on the differences between Mexican-American and my culture. Knowing these differences will create a more successful interaction any potential person from a Mexican-American culture and myself.