American Dream In Uncle Rock

Dagoberto Gilb’s short story, Uncle Rock, follows, Erick, a reserved 11 year old boy and his attractive single mother trying to understand and look for the American dream they hopped for since they left mexico. Throughout their lives in America, different men with different types of social and economic backgrounds have been approaching Erick’s mother trying to strike a quick date with her. As a first generation Mexican American, Erick is still looking for his “voice” in his new adopted country, and he believes whatever he says would not change the fact that the men in his, and his mother’s life would shape the way they would live in America. Erick does show discomfort and unapproval with all the men that has been introduced into his life but does not acknowledge his thoughts with his mother that he wants a fatherly figure. Later on in the story, Gilbs introduce another man, Rogue, who Erick has mixed feelings about, but eventually comes to the conclusion that he is the right man for his mother when Erick finally has a

Her way to use her looks to find a man with wealth may be the only way to find happiness for her and Erick. This can be true as immigrants coming to the United States would do anything to in their power so they can live in this country. Erick, not having a decision on who his mother is dating is similar to immigrant children today of not having the “voice” or decision on how their parents would make money, for example making money illegally through drugs, crime etc. This seems like a pressing issue as it can lead immigrant children to a life of crime. “Uncle Rock” is a great read as it reminds us the struggles immigrants must face in order to achieve the American Dream, and as for the story, Erick decision to choose family over wealth was the key to happiness for his mother, and