Patriarchy in The Rain God by Arturo Islas在阿图罗岛的雨神父权制.pptxVIP

Arturo Islas The Rain God 1938-1991 Stanford University English Novelist Islas was the first Chicano in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in English. In 1976 “The Rain God” – a desert tale is based on one families struggle living on the U.S. and Mexican border. Ethnic identity Sexuality Religion Infidelity Mexican Immigration What do we know about it? Reactions to Image Important Dates: 1911-1929- Mexican Revolution 1944-1954- “The decade of the wetback” 1989- IRCA allowed amnesty for immigrants already in the U.S. 1990- IMMACT – increase limit of immigration 40% ^ visas Today:About 57% of the total illegal immigrants in the US are from Mexico, totaling about 6,840,000. Living on the Border/Stereotypes The “Rain God” includes fixed critique of gender and sexuality in a Mexican community. The entire Chicano culture is created through many different characters who are living examples of the day to day stereotypes of gender and sexuality within a given culture. Miguel Grande- police officer; reigning patriarch of the Mexican Family “Macho” (insecurity?) Lola- hard to deal with – independent “sinverguenzas” (Shameless one); whore  Religion ( lack of) in The Rain God Angel family (Symbolic) The entire book is set out to establish to the readers the “saint and sinners” of the Angel family. There are different religious influences presented that affect the Angel family. Roman Catholic belief, Mama Chona. Her expectations of every family member is to become an angel. Everyone should perfect and follow strict religious rules. like marriage in church or taking part in religious activities. So one could say the family name Angel has also got a symbolic function. Sinners – Miguel Grande – affair with Lola Felix is homosexual (leads to his downfall in the end.) On the other hand, as another example, Tia Cuca- not married but has a 7yr relationship Nina - who believes in spiritual contacts with the dead (not a Roman Catholic belief) of Mama Chona.