Jose Antonio VillarrealPocho

Jose Antonio Villarreal’s Pocho is a masterpiece of Mexican-American literature. It is a historic piece of text, authentically portraying life during the Mexican Revolution and through the Great Depression Era. Coming from an author who was an American born to Mexican immigrants himself, Pocho provides a realistic view on what it is really like to be the child of Mexican immigrants in America. A coming of age novel, Pocho is about a Mexican-American boy struggling to find his identity within the Mexican and American cultures. Attempting to fit in with the Mexican identity his parents instill in him and finding it hard to fit in with his American counterparts, Richard finds himself at a crossroads. Finding his way by submerging himself in literature and attempting to diverge from the idea of living the life his parents want for him instead of what he wants(to be a writer), Richard discovers his own ideals. Because of its coming of age nature, this book does deal with mature topics involving sexuality and violence as Richard matures. Although this book is about a Mexican-American individual, themes portrayed in this book are universal such as sexuality, gender roles, race, class, religion, societal expectations and death so it is a great read for anyone.This novel holds a great view of what is it like to not only grow up as a Mexican-American, but as any person born by immigrant parents in America and their struggle with identity. Struggling with holding onto one’s culture and traditions, children of immigrants often feel judged by both cultures and are not able to fit into any side. Not only does Richard find it hard to be a Mexican in America, his mother Consuelo recognizes truths for herself seeing that, “She had lived so long in the tradition of her country that she could not help herself now, and abused the privilege of equality afforded the women of her new country”(Pg. 134). Culture and tradition take a toll on Richard also as “He thought of his sisters and saw their future,... he thought of himself,... he saw the demands of tradition, of culture, of the social structure on an individual”(Pg. 95). Societal expectations keep Richard from achieving his greatest potential and limit his aspirations. Taking an individualistic stance, Richard takes notes that “His parents believed so strongly in the destiny, and then he was angry that traditions could take a body and a soul- for he had a soul; of that he was certain- and mold it to fit a pattern”(Pg.63). Cultural expectations can force a child of immigrant parents into conformity and make them feel like an outsider or even a disappointment to those who identify with those traditions.Pocho is an essential novel in Latino literature that exposes the idea that it is difficult for Mexican-Americans to find a place within both the Mexican and American cultures.

Pocho is a book written by Jose Antonio Villarreal that explores the struggle of Richard who struggles with his identity as a Mexican-American living in California. Jose writes the book in a way where the reader is able to see the different perspectives of all characters struggling with assimilation into America, while still trying to grasp their Mexican roots. Richard’s mother finds freedom in America where she no longer has to live in the submissive housewife role as she did in Mexico because “‘ Here in this country, the women is looked after by the law. If your father ever put a hand on me--why they would lock him up.”” However, his father does not find the freedom, but rather feels trapped in American society because he forever longs for the same life he had in Mexico; he struggles to create that same kind of community in California. Richard finds his balance between his Mexican roots and the current society he lives in as he works to become a writer and find his place in society. Jose does a great job of depicting the struggle one faces of being torn between two cultures. The character Richard is a very relatable character where the reader can relate to at least one aspect of his life. This book not only depicts his struggle with culture but also his struggle of growing up and questioning the world around him. The book keeps the reader constantly on the edge of their seat with every twist and turn. It contains many different aspects: religion, assimilation, coming of age, marital relationships and roles, culture, etc. It was interesting to read a book from such a different perspective than mine.

Even though this book was published in 1959, the story still resonates today, with the federal government's antipathy towards immigrants, especially those from Mexico. It is a clear tale of how a person who comes from another country seeks to assimilate into American culture, thus severing his ties from his birth country's and family's culture. There is still a huge pressure on immigrants to "fit in" to this country. Fitting in in the U.S. has largely been determined by an elite group of white people who were able to conquer and subjugate many other cultural groups. Judging by recent policies, mandates, and actions, this group still wields considerable power.

A quick and delightful read. Written during the early period of Chicano literature, Villarreal spotlights the adolescence of the main character, Richard Rubio, growing up in depression era California. This novel brilliantly describes the dilemma of growing up Chicano. The character is not fully American nor fully Mexican. Richard tries to navigate what it means to be Chicano and find his way through the world as a pocho. Excellent read!

Pocho is supposed to be one of the first novels to purposefully address the issue of Mexican-American identity as part of the Chicano movement. It's form is rough, unperfected. The point of view and style are inconsistent. It is, nevertheless, a good read. The characters are interesting and compelling. A reader cares about what happens to them. Readers come to care about the issues of race, class, and sexuality as they are addressed in the narrative. This is an important book about identity.

I love this book.

Good read.

Interesting novel, nice perspective on racial and class struggles in the 1930s. Some inappropriate/uncomfortable scenes relating to an unfaithful father and a growing adolescent boy.

I bought this book as a second hand since it is hard to find it as new. The book is very good and a classical for old Chicano literature.