Glossary
Assimilation and marginalization
Assimilation is the process of adopting the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture, while marginalization is the process of being pushed to the fringes of society.
Example:
Characters in Rivera's works often grapple with the pressures of assimilation and marginalization as they try to survive in a new land.
Coming-of-age story
A genre of literature that focuses on the growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood, often marked by significant life lessons or self-discovery.
Example:
'Mi caballo mago' is a classic coming-of-age story as it depicts Ramón's journey of maturity and understanding through his bond with the horse.
Community
A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common, often influencing individual experiences and values.
Example:
The strong sense of community among the migrant workers in Tomás Rivera's stories provides a crucial support system amidst their hardships.
Connected short stories
A collection of short narratives that are linked by common characters, themes, or settings, forming a larger, cohesive work.
Example:
...y no se lo tragó la tierra is a powerful example of connected short stories, where individual tales build a comprehensive picture of a community's experience.
Construction of reality
The idea that an individual's perception and understanding of the world are shaped by their experiences, beliefs, and cultural context.
Example:
The magical elements in 'Mi caballo mago' challenge the reader's conventional construction of reality, inviting a more imaginative perspective.
Contemporary Writers
Authors whose works are produced in recent times, often reflecting modern societal issues and diverse perspectives.
Example:
Unit 8 of AP Spanish Literature focuses on contemporary writers from the US and Spain, showcasing their unique voices and experiences.
Cultural Identity
The feeling of belonging to a group based on shared nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generation, or other cultural aspects.
Example:
The authors in Unit 8 frequently explore the complexities of cultural identity as characters navigate their heritage in modern contexts.
Cultural traditions
Customs, beliefs, and practices that are passed down through generations within a specific cultural group, often playing a significant role in identity.
Example:
The celebration of Christmas Eve in 'La noche buena' highlights the enduring importance of cultural traditions for the family.
Duality of being
The concept that an individual or entity possesses two contrasting aspects or natures, often leading to internal conflict or complex characterization.
Example:
The protagonist in 'Como la vida misma' experiences a duality of being, grappling with both her public persona and her private thoughts.
Identity
The sense of self, often shaped by personal experiences, cultural background, and societal interactions. It explores how characters define who they are.
Example:
In 'Mi caballo mago,' Ramón's developing identity is closely tied to his connection with nature and his rural upbringing.
Imagery
Descriptive language that appeals to the five senses, creating vivid mental pictures for the reader.
Example:
Ulibarrí uses rich imagery to convey the beauty and wildness of the rural setting in 'Mi caballo mago'.
Individual and community
The relationship between a single person and the group they belong to, exploring how each influences the other.
Example:
The tension between the individual and community is evident in how characters balance personal desires with communal expectations in Rivera's stories.
Individual in their environment
How a character interacts with and is shaped by their surroundings, including physical, social, and cultural contexts.
Example:
Ulibarrí explores the individual in their environment by showing how Ramón's connection to the rural landscape defines his spirit.
Interpersonal relationships
The connections and interactions between individuals, which can be central to character development and plot progression in a narrative.
Example:
The complex interpersonal relationships within the family are a core theme in 'La noche buena,' highlighting bonds and tensions.
Introspection
The examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings, often a key narrative technique for exploring a character's inner world.
Example:
Rosa Montero's 'Como la vida misma' is characterized by deep introspection, as the protagonist reflects on her past experiences and emotions.
Language & Communication
The systems of words and symbols used by humans to express thoughts and feelings, and the process of conveying information. In literature, it can shape individual and collective identities.
Example:
The nuances of language & communication can reveal power dynamics or cultural differences between characters in a text.
Literary devices
Specific tools or techniques used by writers to create a particular effect or convey meaning, including symbolism, imagery, and point of view.
Example:
Authors employ various literary devices, such as vivid imagery, to immerse the reader in the story's setting.
Mexican-American migrant workers
Individuals of Mexican descent who travel seasonally to find agricultural work, often facing difficult conditions and discrimination.
Example:
Tomás Rivera's work provides a poignant portrayal of the daily lives and struggles of Mexican-American migrant workers.
Narrative Techniques
The methods and literary devices used by an author to tell a story, such as point of view, symbolism, imagery, and structure.
Example:
Analyzing the author's narrative techniques, like the use of first-person perspective, helps reveal the protagonist's inner world.
Nature and environment
The natural world and the surroundings in which a story takes place, often serving as a symbolic backdrop or an active force influencing characters.
Example:
The harsh nature and environment of the fields are central to the struggles of the migrant workers in Rivera's stories.
Point of view
The perspective from which a story is told, influencing what the reader knows and how they perceive events and characters.
Example:
The shifting point of view in some of Rivera's stories allows for a multifaceted understanding of the migrant experience.
Prejudice and exploitation
Preconceived negative opinions or unfair treatment based on group affiliation, and the act of treating someone unfairly to benefit from their work.
Example:
The characters in Rivera's work frequently endure prejudice and exploitation due to their socioeconomic status and ethnic background.
Resilience
The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. In literature, it often describes characters' ability to overcome adversity.
Example:
Despite immense hardship, the characters in '...y no se lo tragó la tierra' demonstrate remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.
Social & Political Issues
Problems or concerns within society or government that impact individuals and groups, often explored in literature to highlight injustices or advocate for change.
Example:
Rivera's work powerfully addresses social & political issues like prejudice and exploitation faced by Mexican-American migrant workers.
Social Justice
The fair and equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society, often a theme in literature that addresses inequality.
Example:
Rivera's works are powerful calls for social justice, highlighting the systemic inequalities faced by marginalized communities.
Societies in contact
The interaction and often clash between different cultural, ethnic, or social groups, leading to themes of assimilation, marginalization, or cultural exchange.
Example:
'La noche buena' vividly portrays societies in contact as the Mexican-American family navigates their cultural identity within a broader American context.
Socioeconomic divisions
The stratification of society based on economic status and social class, often leading to disparities in power, resources, and opportunities.
Example:
The stark socioeconomic divisions between the migrant workers and the landowners are a central conflict in Rivera's narratives.
Spirituality and religion
Beliefs and practices related to the sacred or divine, often providing comfort, guidance, or a source of conflict for characters.
Example:
The role of spirituality and religion is evident in the characters' reliance on faith during times of extreme hardship in Rivera's stories.
Symbolism
The use of objects, people, or ideas to represent something else, often a deeper, abstract concept.
Example:
In 'Mi caballo mago,' the horse serves as powerful symbolism for freedom and the untamed spirit.
Textual evidence
Specific details, phrases, or direct quotes from a literary work used to support an argument or analysis.
Example:
Always support your claims with specific textual evidence from the stories to strengthen your analysis.
Thesis
A concise statement that presents the main argument or controlling idea of an essay, typically appearing in the introduction.
Example:
A strong thesis statement is crucial for a high-scoring free-response essay, clearly outlining your argument.
Time and space
The temporal and spatial settings of a narrative, which can influence plot, character development, and thematic exploration.
Example:
Montero's 'Como la vida misma' uses shifts in time and space to reflect the protagonist's introspective journey through memories.
Tradition and rupture
The interplay between established customs and beliefs, and the breaking away from or disruption of these norms.
Example:
'La noche buena' explores the tension between upholding tradition and rupture as the family navigates cultural expectations in a new environment.
Transformation and journey
The process of significant change or development experienced by a character, often accompanied by a physical or metaphorical voyage.
Example:
Ramón undergoes a profound transformation and journey as he learns about freedom and responsibility through his encounter with the wild horse.