Glossary
...y no se lo tragó la tierra
A significant novella by Tomás Rivera, published in 1971, that explores the hardships and spiritual struggles of a young boy in a migrant farm worker family.
Example:
The title ...y no se lo tragó la tierra itself symbolizes the resilience of the protagonist against overwhelming despair.
Bracero Program
A guest worker program established during WWII that brought Mexican laborers to the US for agricultural work, often under exploitative conditions.
Example:
The Bracero Program highlights the systemic vulnerabilities faced by many characters in Rivera's work.
El hijo mayor (Narrator)
The protagonist and emotional center of the story, a young boy who experiences frustration, anger, and a profound questioning of his faith due to his family's hardships.
Example:
El hijo mayor (Narrator) grapples with intense internal conflict as he witnesses his family's suffering.
El papá
A character who works tirelessly in the fields, suffering a heatstroke that highlights the severe physical toll and vulnerability of migrant labor.
Example:
The illness of El papá underscores the brutal realities and lack of medical care faced by migrant families.
Escritores contemporáneos de Estados Unidos
A movement of Hispanic authors in the US, particularly in the Southwest, who narrate stories of cultural identity, biculturalism, and perseverance.
Example:
Authors like Sandra Cisneros and Junot Díaz are prominent Escritores contemporáneos de Estados Unidos who explore bicultural experiences.
Hipérbole
A literary device involving extreme exaggeration for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally.
Example:
The mother's exasperated comment, 'Hasta parece que llevas el demonio entre las venas ya', is an example of Hipérbole to express her frustration with the boy's anger.
La Espiritualidad y la Religión
A central theme exploring the role of faith in the face of suffering, manifested through the boy's doubts and his mother's unwavering belief in God's plan.
Example:
The conflict between the boy's anger and his mother's piety exemplifies the theme of La Espiritualidad y la Religión.
La mamá
A character in the story who embodies strong religious faith and serves as a pillar of strength and hope for the family, despite their suffering.
Example:
La mamá's unwavering belief in God contrasts sharply with her son's doubts throughout the narrative.
Las Relaciones Familiares
A key theme emphasizing the deep closeness and interdependence of the family unit, which acts as both a source of strength and vulnerability amidst shared suffering.
Example:
Despite their hardships, Las Relaciones Familiares provide a crucial support system for the boy and his loved ones.
Los tíos
The narrator's aunt and uncle whose deaths from tuberculosis serve as a catalyst for the boy's initial anger and questioning of divine justice.
Example:
The tragic deaths of Los tíos from tuberculosis highlight the devastating health risks faced by the migrant community.
Migrant Workers
Individuals, often from Central and South America, who travel for seasonal agricultural work, frequently enduring harsh conditions and low wages.
Example:
The struggles of Migrant Workers are central to understanding the socio-economic backdrop of ...y no se lo tragó la tierra.
Personificación
A literary device where human qualities or actions are attributed to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
Example:
In the story, the phrase 'se abría la tierra para tragárselo' uses Personificación to convey the boy's feeling of being overwhelmed by despair.
Questioning Faith
A central theme in the story where the young protagonist challenges God's existence and justice in the face of his family's immense suffering.
Example:
The boy's Questioning Faith reaches its peak when his younger brother falls ill, leading him to curse God.
Renewed Hope
The protagonist's fragile return to a sense of optimism and belief in divine justice after his father's recovery, despite earlier despair.
Example:
The boy experiences a moment of Renewed Hope when his father miraculously recovers from heatstroke.
Símil
A literary device that compares two unlike things using 'como' (like) or 'cual' (as) to create a vivid image or emphasize a quality.
Example:
The description of the father working 'como un burro enterrado en la tierra' is a powerful Símil illustrating the dehumanizing labor conditions.
Tomás Rivera
A Mexican-American author (1935-1984) born to migrant farm workers in Texas, known for his powerful voice for Mexican-Americans and his focus on their experiences.
Example:
Tomás Rivera's personal background deeply influenced the authentic portrayal of migrant life in his writings.