ipl-logo

I Am Joaquin Meaning

629 Words3 Pages

In Rodolfo Gonzales' poem “I am Joaquin”, Gonazales writes to raise awareness of the struggles of Chicano people during the Chicano movement in the 1960s. He discusses the issues that have ceased the Chicano people from earning equality in America. Throughout the poem, Gonzales’ uses the tactic of comparing opposing objects through extended metaphors to illustrate that he is both the oppressor and the oppressed.
On many occasions you can see Gonzales’ using the technique of repetition and extended metaphors to solidify the fact that as a Chicano man he is both the oppressor and the oppressed. The first occasion can be seen when he states “I am the sword and flame…I am the Eagle and Serpent… I was both tyrant and slave,”(11). This extended metaphor …show more content…

Gonzales is comparing himself both to the sword that Cortés is known for fighting and killing indigenous people with, and to the fire that he is known for burning down his own ships in an attempt to motivate his men to keep fighting, conquering, and claiming current day Mexico for Spain. The second part of this extended metaphor is more simply put. In nature, eagles prey on serpents, so by comparing himself to these animals, Gonzales states that he has been both the predator and the prey. The last part of this extended metaphor is also more cut and dry, but it is also much more literal. While a man can not physically be an eagle and a snake, he can however be a slave and a tyrant. A tyrant is cruel and oppressive while a slave is the one that is being oppressed by the tyrant. Gonzales uses this metaphor to state that he has been both the slave, working and giving his “sweat and blood for the Spanish master”(11) as well as the person who has sold out his brother when it was beneficial for him (15). The next instance in which he uses an extended metaphor is when he states “I have been the Bloody Revolution, The Victor, The Vanquished, I have killed and been killed,” (13). This metaphor

Show More
Related

Summary Of Small Town With One Road By Gary Soto

1800 Words | 8 Pages

The experiences one has at a young age impacts who that person is and what they value. Gary Soto is no exception to this idea. Soto was born into a family with limited resources; his grandparents immigrated to the United States from Mexico, and experienced many hardships both financial and personal. These financial and personal adversities shape his writing into a platform for educating young readers on the struggles of Latino Americans. Gary Soto’s childhood and the Civil Rights movement for Latino Americans inspired his poetry to touch upon the daily struggles of the average Mexican-American farmer through his use of first person narrative.

Read More

Quixote's Soldiers Summary

741 Words | 3 Pages

In order to write this book, the author clearly uses different manuscripts and papers that helped him to explain and show the situation of this social movement. He also uses and gets information from people that were living those situations, for instance in Chapter one, he mentions a note from Journalist Ruiz Ibañez: “Contrary to the common belief that those groups are composed of “punks” and hoodlums….”1. Related to him, he is an American historian and sociology that obtained his sociology and political science degrees in the University of Texas at Austin and Yale University, as well. Currently, he is a professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and he is president of the Center for Latino Policy Research. He wrote not only Quixote’s Soldiers but also, Anglos and Mexicans in the Making of Texas, 1836-1986.

Read More

Summary Of Bless Me Ultima By Roberto Anaya

1210 Words | 5 Pages

The work is essential as Chicano literature because it explains, explores, and exposes people to the Chicano culture. Antonio’s exposure to different people’s beliefs creates a religious doubt/conflict. Antonio (Tony) is a seven-year-old boy lives with his family; his father Gabriel Marez, mom Maria Luna, and his two sisters Theresa and

Read More

Always Running Is Related To The Chicano Movement

336 Words | 2 Pages

How does the memoir on Always Running is related to the Chicano Movement? The memoir Always Running reveal about the transformation nature of the Chicano Movement on young Latinos in the 1960s and 1970s by showing how the students started to act and how they felt when they were treated bad at school. Students started to get involve in to school activities to make a change. In the poem “ I am Joaquin” by this person Rodolfo, states that “ I am Joaquin. I must fight and win this struggle for my sons, and they must know from me who I am…”(5).

Read More

Rg's Perspective On The Chapter In Oscar Casares Brownsville

860 Words | 4 Pages

“RG,” the chapter in Oscar Casares’ Brownsville, presents a unique perspective on the division of culture and social respect that exists between Anglos and Hispanics within Borderland communities. Throughout the story, RG obsesses over the fact his neighbor, Bannert, forgot to return his hammer rather than return it. RG’s hammer not being returned represents a break in social and cultural respect between him and his neighbor. The historical mistreatment of Hispanics by Anglos created distorted core beliefs amongst Hispanics that led to defensive and prideful personalities to disguise the fragile and insecure emotions felt in Borderland communities. The pride and defensiveness of Borderland cultures reveal why RG feels obligated to defend his

Read More

Avocado Lake Gary Soto Analysis

1578 Words | 7 Pages

“Oranges,” “The Seventieth Year,” and “Avocado Lake,” showcase Soto’s ability to move a reader using an emotional story without the use of rhyme or rhythm. Through Soto’s poetry, he indicates the traits that define Mexican-American community

Read More

Chicano Pride In Trinidad Sanchez's Why Am I So Brown

215 Words | 1 Pages

The poem “Why Am I So Brown?” by Trinidad Sanchez Jr. uses metaphors in order to put across his meaning of Chicano pride. Metaphor is a comparing to completely two different things but someway connected. He compares bronze and roots to skin color. These comparisons give Chicanos pride because they are connected to bronze and roots. Sanchez states, “God made you brown mi’ja color bronce” (Sanchez 2.1-2).

Read More

Gloria Anzaldúa How To Tame A Wild Tongue Thesis

102 Words | 1 Pages

Gloria Anzaldúa, in the essay “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” (1987), claims her experiences as a Chicano taught her that her culture was not looked at highly in comparison to the English language. Anzaldúa argues her view about her Chicano language by giving examples of both cultures Chicano Mexican and American cultures. Anzaldúa’s purpose is to inform her audience on how it is to grow up in a Chicano speaking family. Anzaldúa writes in a frustrating tone throughout the story of her life experiences. Thesis: Anzaldúa use of her personal experiences, and Music, Film and Literature are relevant sufficient and

Read More

Aztlan Colonial New Mexico Analysis

504 Words | 3 Pages

“Aztlan, Cibola and Frontier New Spain” is a chapter in Between the Conquests written by John R. Chavez. In this chapter Chavez states how Chicano and other indigenous American ancestors had migrated and how the migration help form an important part of the Chicanos image of themselves as a natives of the south. “The Racial Politics behind the Settlement of New Mexico” is the second chapter by Martha Menchaca.

Read More

Analysis Of Sinners At The Hand Of An Angry God

999 Words | 4 Pages

This metaphor helps the reader understand that God is omnipotent and holds unlimited power and anger that will be brought down on the sinners on the day of

Read More

La Mexicano Analysis

871 Words | 4 Pages

Octavio Paz, a Mexican poet and essayist, is one of the many philosophers with a written piece regarding his understanding of Lo Mexicano. Paz’s “Sons of La Malinche” was first published in the Labyrinth of Solitude in 1950 and is a rather grim interpretation of the Mexican character, however, it captures the crisis of identity that Mexico was burdened with after the conquest. Paz uses the Spanish term “chingar,” (when literally translated means “to screw, to violate”) and its associated phrases to understand the conquest and the effect

Read More

The Myth Of The Latin Woman Analysis

1045 Words | 5 Pages

Cofer addresses the cultural barriers and challenges that Latinos experience through emotional appeal, anecdotal imagery, parallelism and the use of effective periodic sentences. In her article, Cofer assesses the difficult cultural hurdles of Latin Americans with emotional appeal. She provides insight on her cultural barriers by first conveying the way she had to dress and her struggle, as it shows in this piece of text, “That morning I had organized… which to base my decision” (Cofer 5). This poignancy works to stress an agonizing feeling of uncertainty and restraint towards the author.

Read More

Poem Analysis: I Am Joaquin

585 Words | 3 Pages

To many people “I am Joaquin” is more than just an epic poem, it is the anthem of the Chicano movement which embodies our peoples struggles and culture. What made the work become the Chicano Movements anthem is the fact that it is a piece that seems to evaluate the Chicanos and their history from the good to the bad. It also seems to emphasize the Chicanos search and struggle for identity starting from the beginning of the Spanish conquest to our modern times. Basically this poem has become such an iconic work because it attempts and succeeds in encompassing as much Chicano history into it and makes no bias choice as it has both positive historical moments and negative, but they all tie back to Chicanos and their history. One of the main aspect that makes “I am Joaquin” an interesting piece of work and an icon for the Chicano movement is how the work seems to

Read More

The Changeling By Judith Ortiz Cofer Summary

794 Words | 4 Pages

All cultures have historical figures that it’s people look up to. For Hispanic American people the connection to their past is very important so remembering figures such as Ché is a way to keep roots with their culture. The last portion of traditions explored in this narrative is the inclusion of the phrase “para la libertad” which translates to for freedom and/or for liberty (17). Given the nature of this poem, it is interesting to note that the use of “la” denotes that libertad is feminine. The ways in which the poem explores traditions of Hispanic American culture is subtle, but definitely a theme

Read More

Praise Poetry Analysis

1275 Words | 6 Pages

This contrasts with the last line of the verse which is used to show his youth and wisdom by comparing him to a tree. Tree’s were common symbolic images and were used to represent wisdom, knowledge, fertility, family and even divine kingship by relating him to the earth and his surroundings. By the poet using this image, he is painting a very reputable, positive image of his patron to his tribe, therefore doing his job well by validating the king’s position. Just from these two verses alone we can see poet and patron during this era lived in a very symbiotic relationship where both sides needed the other and got along

Read More

More about I Am Joaquin Meaning

Related Topics

Open Document