Real Women Have Curves Essay

909 Words2 Pages

Main Characters/ Ana’s Level of Assimilation & Acculturation
The main characters in the film Real Women Have Curves are Ana Garcia, and her parents Carmen Garcia, Raul Garcia, and sister Estela Garcia. The film focuses on the family dynamic of this Mexican family, and tells the coming of age story of the protagonist Ana. Ana Garcia is a Mexican American teenager that is discovering her womanhood, and struggles with pursing the life she wants to live versus her parents. As a first generation Mexican American, Ana distances herself from the traditional Latino culture, and assimilated in the American culture.

In the Latino culture, woman are sometimes undervalued as intellectuals, but seen as primary caregivers. Latino woman are also praised for their slim curvy body and sexiness. However, Ana refuses to stick to the stereotypes of Mexican women. Ana recently graduated from high school, and dreams of attending college. The pursuit of higher education differs from traditional Latino values because after high school, Latinos are expected to get a job and help support their families. Estela, Ana’s …show more content…

Guzman, Ana’s high schoolteacher believed she is really bright and would do well in college. Mr. Guzman encourages Ana to apply to an elite school in hopes of receiving a scholarship. Although, Ana tells her teacher many excuses on why she can not go to college, her teacher still made an effort in getting Ana to apply. Mr. Guzman even pleaded to Ana’s family to let her apply to college, but they resisted. Eventually, Ana applied against her parents wishes, and she was accepted into Columbia University in New York. Once, Mr. Guzman got the news that Ana was accepted, he delivered the news personally, and tried to convince her parents to let her attend. I think Mr. Guzman’s intervention showed how much her cared and believed in Ana. I also think without his persistence and encouragement Ana would not have applied to college and got accepted into an elite

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