This paper examines the intra- and intergroup struggles of Mexican-American proletarians through the poetry of Gloria Anzaldúa and Lorna Dee Cervantes. By analyzing their works, it highlights ongoing prejudices and disadvantages faced by the Mexican-American working class and how these issues persist in the 21st century.
I argue that the intra- and intergroup division of the Mexican-American proletarians described in Anzaldúa’s To Live in the Borderlands from 1987 and Dee Cervantes’ A Chicano Poem from 2013, mirrors itself in the 21st Century in so far that Mexican-American proletarians face strong prejudices and disadvantages, which every one of them perceives and handles in different ways. Against this backdrop, Anzaldúa- and Dee Cervantes’ poems will be analysed separately in terms of intra- and intergroup division. The essay begins by exploring the intra-group division of the Mexican-American working-class and then continues with the inter-group division of Mexican-American proletarians with other Americans. Finally, the conclusion mediates all arguments and gives an outlook on possible further research.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Intragroup Division of the Mexican-American Working-Class in Anzaldúa's To Live in the Borderlands and Dee Cervantes' A Chicano Poem
- Intragroup Division in Anzaldúa's To Live in the Borderlands
- Intragroup Division in Dee Cervantes' A Chicano Poem
- Intergroup Division of the Mexican-American Working-Class and Other American Groups in Anzaldúa's To Live in the Borderlands and Dee Cervantes' A Chicano Poem
- Intergroup Division in Anzaldúa's To Live in the Borderlands
- Intergroup Division in Dee Cervantes' A Chicano Poem
- Conclusion
- Works Cited
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay analyzes the intra- and intergroup division of the Mexican-American working-class in the United States, particularly focusing on the poems "To Live in the Borderlands" by Gloria Anzaldúa and "A Chicano Poem" by Lorna Dee Cervantes. It aims to investigate the different perspectives on living as Mexican-American proletarians and explore the complexities of these divisions within the contemporary context.
- The impact of intragroup division within the Mexican-American community.
- The challenges faced by Mexican-American working-class individuals in terms of intergroup relations with other American groups.
- The role of language, culture, and identity in shaping these divisions.
- The experience of prejudice and disadvantage faced by Mexican-American proletarians.
- The potential for resistance and struggle against these divisions.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by introducing the topic of intra- and intergroup division within the Mexican-American working-class, using the words of Ricky Martin to highlight the importance of individual and communal struggles. It then introduces the authors Gloria Anzaldúa and Lorna Dee Cervantes, outlining their backgrounds and the themes of their respective poems.
Chapter 2 focuses on the intragroup division of the Mexican-American working-class, analyzing the themes of identity, belonging, and the challenges of navigating multiple identities within a diverse community. This analysis draws on the insights of Anzaldúa's "To Live in the Borderlands" and examines the concept of "flexible ethnicity" and the impact of racialization on Mexican-American individuals.
Chapter 3 delves into the intergroup division of the Mexican-American working-class and other American groups. This section examines the intergroup conflicts and challenges faced by Mexican-American individuals in navigating a society marked by prejudices and disadvantages. The essay explores how these experiences are portrayed in the poems by Anzaldúa and Cervantes, highlighting the importance of understanding the complex and nuanced nature of these divisions.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of this essay include Mexican-American working-class, intra- and intergroup division, identity, belonging, prejudice, disadvantage, language, culture, "To Live in the Borderlands," "A Chicano Poem," Gloria Anzaldúa, Lorna Dee Cervantes, and the contemporary context.
- Quote paper
- Lisa Thöne (Author), 2022, Intra- and Intergroup Division of the Contemporary Mexcican-American Working-Class, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1476987
