In "Mericans," Sandra Cisneros explores the theme of identity and the search for belonging. The narrator of the story is a young Mexican-American girl who is struggling to find her place in the world. She feels caught between two cultures and is unsure of how to navigate her dual identity.
One of the main themes in "Mericans" is the pressure to conform to societal norms. The narrator's family is constantly trying to assimilate into American culture, and her mother even encourages her to speak English with an "American" accent. However, the narrator resists this pressure and proudly embraces her Mexican heritage. She resists the temptation to erase her cultural identity in order to fit in with her peers, and instead asserts her individuality.
Another theme in "Mericans" is the importance of family and community. Despite the challenges the narrator faces in trying to find her place in the world, she is surrounded by a loving and supportive family. Her parents and grandparents provide her with a sense of belonging and a connection to her cultural roots. The narrator also finds solace in her community, and the church serves as a safe and welcoming place for her to explore her faith and heritage.
Overall, "Mericans" is a poignant and relatable story about the struggles of identity and the search for belonging. Cisneros uses the narrator's experiences to explore themes of conformity, individuality, family, and community, ultimately highlighting the importance of embracing one's unique cultural identity.
"Mericans" is a short story written by Sandra Cisneros that explores the theme of identity and the challenges of fitting in within a society that places a high value on conformity. The story is narrated by a young girl named Clemencia, who is the daughter of Mexican immigrants living in a predominantly white neighborhood in Chicago.
One of the main themes of "Mericans" is the struggle to maintain one's cultural identity in the face of societal pressure to assimilate. Clemencia and her family are constantly confronted with the expectations of the dominant culture, which often conflict with their own values and traditions. For example, Clemencia's mother is expected to conform to traditional gender roles and be a homemaker, even though she is highly educated and could have a successful career outside the home. Clemencia's father is also expected to speak English fluently and abandon his native Spanish, even though it is a crucial part of his identity.
Another theme of "Mericans" is the idea of belonging and feeling accepted in one's community. Clemencia longs to fit in with her white peers and be accepted as an "American," but she is constantly reminded of her differences and is made to feel like an outsider. She is also aware of the prejudice and discrimination that her family faces because of their ethnicity, and this further contributes to their feelings of isolation and disconnection from their community.
Overall, "Mericans" is a poignant and thought-provoking story that highlights the complexities of identity and the challenges of fitting in within a society that values conformity. Through Clemencia's perspective, Cisneros presents a nuanced portrayal of the struggles and triumphs of immigrants and their children as they navigate their identities and seek to find their place in a new country.
"Americans" by Sandra Cisneros is a poem that explores the theme of identity and the struggle to belong in a country that is deeply divided by race and class.
The poem is written from the perspective of a young Chicana, a term used to describe a woman of Mexican heritage living in the United States. The speaker reflects on the complexities of her identity and the constant pressure to conform to societal expectations. She writes, "I am the daughter of my mother who was the daughter / of her mother who was the daughter of her mother / and so on back to where we began / in the long line of women / who have always been Americans."
The speaker grapples with the inherent conflict of being both Mexican and American, feeling torn between two cultures and the expectations that come with each. She writes, "I am an American / but I hate baseball / I am an American / but I don't understand football." These lines highlight the speaker's struggle to fully embrace American culture, as she does not fully understand or enjoy two of the country's most beloved pastimes.
Throughout the poem, the speaker also touches on the theme of race and the ways in which it impacts her sense of identity and belonging. She writes, "I am an American / but I am brown / and sometimes that isn't enough." This line speaks to the ways in which people of color are often marginalized and treated unfairly in American society. The speaker's brown skin is a constant reminder of her difference and the ways in which she does not fully fit in with mainstream American culture.
In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker finds solace in the idea of being part of a larger community of people who share her experiences and struggles. She writes, "I am an American / and I am proud of it / because we are all in this together." This line suggests that the speaker has come to embrace her identity and find pride in her heritage and culture, despite the challenges she has faced.
Overall, "Americans" by Sandra Cisneros is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of identity and the struggle to belong in a divided society. Through the lens of a young Chicana, the poem delves into the complexities of being both Mexican and American and the ways in which race and class impact one's sense of belonging.
