Patron Saints Of Nothing Assimilation

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Merriam Webster defines assimilation as the process of, “[absorbing] into the cultural tradition of a population or group” and is commonly used to describe immigrants who adapt to foreign cultures to better fit in with locals (Merriam-Webster 1). In the novel Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay, the author frequently explores the impacts of assimilation on the relationships of the protagonist Jay. Jay’s father who assimilates into American culture to ensure his multicultural children have a better future. His children have two cultural identities: American and Filipino, but, due to their father’s assimilation, they struggle to understand their Filipino culture. Jay struggles with his self-identity and often feels isolated in his disconnection. Moreover, he feels …show more content…

Throughout the book, Jay is viewed as either Filipino or American, leaving him feeling out of place in both identities. In fact, his close friend Seth even goes as far as to say, “I forgot you were Filipino, you’re basically white” (Ribay 37). With comments like these, Jay struggles to view himself as a Filipino. Furthermore, his father rarely speaks about the Philippines or its language, resulting in him feeling alone in his intersecting identities and feeling inadequate in both spaces. He speaks about how it feels to speak Tagalog, and how foreign the language feels on his tongue. He says, “my mouth feels too heavy, too thick, too thick, too slow to produce the light, rapid syllables Filipinos spit with such ease”, a feeling that reinforces his belief that he isn’t Filipino enough (177). Jay looks Filipino, however, due to assimilation, he feels as though that aspect of his identity is not always true. Jay’s strong connection to his American identity is a result of him being more immersed in it, whereas his Filipino identity feels foreign to

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