Point of view is a literary convention that establishes the narrator’s relationship to the story. The Bedford Glossary of Literary Terms defines point of view as the vantage point from which the story is told (Bedford Glossary). Writing provides a lens through which the audience can look at life. By establishing an appropriate point of view, the author allows the reader to feel what is occurring; thus, creating meaning through what he/she writes. Skillful authors know which point of view is appropriate for the feelings and beliefs they are attempting to relay. This convention allows the reader to personally unite with the author and experience a situation that they may have never been a part of in real life. As a result, point of view is an important concept that the author utilizes to connect the audience to his/her work. Richard Rodriguez is an American writer known for writing about the relationship between personal life, and the public issues that surround it. Through his use of personal essays, Rodriguez can relay his beliefs and feelings on some of the most controversial issues. Rodriguez was born into a Mexican immigrant family where Spanish was the main language spoken at home. As a result, learning the English language was a hard …show more content…
This is the author’s credibility or character which is evident as Rodriguez writes in the form of a memoir. This first-person point of view establishes the credibility in Rodriguez’s eyes as he relays his beliefs due to his experiences. He contests bilingualism with personal stories of his transition into English. Through this perspective, he explores the intimacy of language which corresponds with his appeal to pathos. As Rodriguez progressed, awareness with emotion through language is described as a direct cause by the people who speak the language(Rodriguez). This led to friction in his mind debunking the ability to endure a bilingual