Identity In Bodega Dreams

Bodega Dreams:
Intimacy and Gender Roles Shape Identity
“As long as Latino kills Latino… we’ll always be little people,” stated Ernesto Quinonez. This statement comments on the integration of society within an individual’s identity and it’s long lasting effects. The perception of who we are behind closed doors and who we are in public greatly influences our state of mind and our internal well-being. Throughout Quinonez’s Bodega Dreams, the reader can clearly see how one’s traditional culture and perception of private vs. public image is valued amongst the characters. At times, the reader may notice an internal struggle within multiple characters. The thought of going against what may be considered “normal” can be quite nerve-racking for

the characters within the novel. The reader may notice how intimacy and traditional values overlap within the novel. Men struggle with maintaining their dominant role within their relationships and outside their relationships. In the following I will explain in great detail, how intimacy and gender roles within the Hispanic culture shaped the identity of various characters within Bodega Dreams - through the lens of Berland and Warner.
In Berland and Warner’s Sex in Public they proposed several concepts regarding intimacy. They discussed the difference between a couple’s “public” and “private” space. The term they chose to use was heteronormativity. This term clearly indicates how a “normal” couple behaves outside of the bedroom. In relation to Bodega Dreams, some may question whether Bodega’s intimacy towards Vera, led to his downfall. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Bodega – a nomad on a quest to gain legitimacy through his company and on a mission to gain respect and power from the people within his barrio. Immediately, the reader must realize his image to the public is a very strong one and something he needs in order to succeed. He is seen as the man who gets things done – no matter what gets in his way. The moment he meets Vera, (a controlling woman who shot her husband and framed Bodega for her husband’s murder) it seems as if he begins to transform. His love and attraction towards Vera over powers his need to present himself as a tough man in the barrio. “
At the end of the novel, Bodega changes drastically and one must question if Vera has distracted him from his politics and has changed the way others viewed him. "Where the city sees burned buildings I see opportunity" stated Bodega. In this case, Vera is the burned building and Bodega sees the beauty in her. Aside from the characters within the novel, the reader must ask themselves - if it has changed their perception of Bodega. Has his relationship with Vera altered the image of how we perceived him at the start of novel? Does the public view him any less of man because of his relationship?
Intimacy within the Puerto Culture is quite powerful. To support my claim, according to Geri-Ann Galanti “Personalismo – intimate personal relationships - is important to many Hispanic cultures and the public must accept a high level of intimacy amoungst them” (Galanti, 182). Chino and Blanca are yet another couple that exemplify how gender roles and intimacy shape identity. Chino is not the stereotypical macho Hispanic man, because of this, throughout the novel he internally struggles with maintaining and reclaiming his masculinity within his private and public space. In his public space, various characters question his role within his relationship with Blanca. For instance, Sapo seemed worried about Chino throughout the novel. Sapo was concerned with how complacent and domesticated he became after his relationship with Blanca. Therefore, Chino’s public image changed the minute he seemed slightly devoted to his relationship. Here, one can assume his identity becomes “mediated by the public” (Berland and Warner 547). Because of this, Chino outwardly attempts to reassert his masculinity and change his public perception of who is he. Additionally, Chino jokingly alludes to his precarious masculinity by telling the reader that Blanca wears the pants within the relation and hold the power in their home. To illustrate Chino’s non-dominant persona and to contradict the stereotype of the shy, demoralized Latin woman, Chino states “If you dare hit a Latin woman God help you, because you'll wake up with scissors in your back.” (Quinonez 38)
At this point the reader must question - what spaces are considered public and private within the Puerto Rican culture? It is clear that the home is considered a personal space in which Chino believes Blanca holds the power. Allowing others (public space) within your home – gets tricky. For instance, when the cops come to visit their home Blanca immediately invites them inside. She doesn’t stall or hesitate to invite them in. At this moment, the reader may notice a conflict of authority. Publicly, Chino wants to show patriarchal authority but realistically, behind closed doors, Blanca is the authority figure. One might also notice how in this particular scene both public and intimate spaces intertwine because of Blanca.
Another symbolic matter to observe is how Chino and Blanca’s house burned down. As mentioned, their house represents their intimate space where Blanca is the powerful one. The house burning down is symbolic of Chino’s internal struggle – how he suppresses his emotions towards the public viewing him as the subordinate in his relationship. This is yet another example of how public and private shape inter-connect with one another to represent and shape one’s identity.
Throughout Bodega Dreams, Blanca holds a strong role where instead of becoming intimate with a man, she becomes intimate with a public space. Blanca becomes passionate and well involved with her church to balance and release tension within her household. The church is a public space that internally, for Blanca, intertwines with her personal space. The reader must realize it is quite interesting how Chino does not believe her faith is necessary to live at peace. Chino feels repulsed by her faith, which is similar to his uneasy feeling of the public passing judgment on his masculinity. Blanca tried her best to force Chino to go to church with her because “she hated going to church by herself ” (Quinonez, 17). The act of him feeling comfortable within this public space seemed unlikely.
Let’s take a closer look at Blanca’s character and why Quinonez decided to name her “Blanca.” Names and nicknames throughout Bodega Dreams is key to one’s identity and something the reader must examine. Blanca’s personality is extremely static throughout the novel and the concept of race falls within the public space. Throughout the novel, Blanca is portrayed as a “white Hispanic” due to her aspirations, moral outlook and religion being associated with mainstream white culture. Sapo – Chico’s best friend, reaffirms this and states “cuz even though she might be Spanish, she’s a white Spanish” (Quinonez 153). He elaborates and states how he believes Chico doesn’t like the women within his race and the only reason why he loves Blanca is because she is not truly Hispanic. This is an example of the public’s perception of an individual within their personal space. “Discrimination towards white Hispanics with privilege occurs quite often – specifically with Puerto Rican - Americans” (Barajas 27). Sapo is an example of one who is commenting and passing judgment on Blanca and their relationship. He sees “such whites as trespassers” and classifies them as fictionalized versions of true Hispanics (Jones, 34). Chico seemed unbothered by Sapo’s comment although, it becomes clear to the reader that he cares what Sapo thinks of him. Even though Chico denies and rebudles Sapo’s opinions – his opinions sets the tone for their relationship. In short, this is an example of society passing judgment on Chino and Blanca’s identity, which in return is a domino effect and affects their relationship.
Similar to Chico, it is clear that Blanca cares what the public thinks of her. In many ways, this is an additional reason as to whys she is considered a “white Hispanic.” Additionally, she truly values what the church people and their families think of her and her relationship. Therefore, one can conclude since she is considered to be “white” amongst the people in her public space – she is more focused about societal and moral standards than her husband’s opinion. This is a prime example of how a public space can transcend into an intimate environment. An individual who values the opinion of those within this particular public space allows both spaces to overlap.
Bernard and Warner exclaims “the institutions, structures of understanding, and practical orientations that make heterosexuality seem not only coherent - that is, organized as a sexuality - but also privileged” Berland and Warner, 548). If we pay close attention to the word choice within these lines we will see how both of them believed heterosexuality was devised and produced by those higher than us. An example of this type of institution would be the Church in which Blanca devotes her time to. Furthermore, Berland and Warner describe it as an “organized” sexuality - meaning this type of sexuality is very black and white and does not have any grey areas. This organized sexuality is composed from our values and various “institutions.” Therefore, one can conclude Blanca is influenced by her religion and the people within the church. She brings these opinions and values into her personal space with Chico.
Throughout the novel – it is easy to conclude that a socially manipulated image has it’s effects on the relationships and the characters throughout the novel.

The values and perceptions of people in a public space and cause an internal struggle and can ultimately lead to long lasting effects. For instance, as previously discussed – Chico felt the need to reassert his masculinity throughout the novel because he felt Blanca wore the pants in their relationship. This immediately became a problem once people on the outside started sharing their opinions of what goes on in their private space. Furthermore, we have Blanca who bases her values and morals on the opinions and beliefs of the church. This is yet another example of how this particular public space alters one’s individuality. In many cases, both private and public spaces intertwine and the reader may conclude that this may cause tension for some characters. For instance, when Blanca urged the cops to come into her home, Chico did not like how she made this decision without asking for his approval. At this particular moment – both private and public space are overlapping and this caused conflict. The public’s perception of what a woman and/or man should be affects one’s identity. Berland and Warner’s concept of intimacy regarding personal and private space plays a huge role throughout Bodega Dreams. The intimacy of couples throughout the novel caused tension and disapproval from the individuals within the public space and might have even changed the reader’s opinion of certain characters. This novel may lead to reader to question – does intimacy truly effect people within both the private and public space? If so, why must the opinion of the public have long lasting, dramatic effects on our personal

relationships?