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Literary Devices In Psycho

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Latin America as a whole contains twenty-two Spanish speaking countries and within these twenty-two nations, they have produced a variety of well accomplished writers that are recognized world-wide. Each author represents and demonstrates important subjects, bringing attention to various literary movements in their writing. All writers hold a degree of reputation and one author in particular brings attention to the Chicano movement in the 1960’s. José Antonio Villarreal’s book Pocho draws attention to the inquisition of cultural identity, the road to self-discovery as a person comes of age and the struggle of gender roles. While at the same time, the literature in addition demonstrates elements of literary devices. Such as use of the style …show more content…

The use of the Spanish language comes far in between when it translated through the pages. Simple phrases of the language are being used that in a form have no significant value behind them, especially when we encounter Richard’s parents who we know do not speak English. “‘Pass, don Juan. Pass into your house,’ said a small dark man at the door” (Villarreal 119). The translation and the real meaning behind appear to become lost and is confusing in what exactly the character is trying to convey by the use of the word pass. The word choice of the author does not illustrate the use of the language to its full potential as different Chicano authors have presented in their writing. Writer, Minoves Myers can reinforce to this by stating, “Pocho neither exhibits an extensive sampling nor offers the rich repertoire of code switching commonly found in later Chicano novels.” Villarreal can be accredited with being a Chicano author, however he does not use language to its full advantage to convey his message further to the …show more content…

As the book primarily focuses on Richard as the main character in the story, we as readers observe what is expected by both females and males in the Mexican culture. “When the day came that he married Zelda, he would be forced to find himself, for Richard was certain that he could never revolve his whole life around marriage. He could not give that institution the importance it had falsely taken on through the centuries” (Villarreal 145). Richard by default and culture is expected to become a hardworking man to provide for his family, despite having dreams that extend to being more than a traditional man. As the book comes to an end, Richard is interjected into this particular role with no other option when his father leaves the family. Each passing page of the last chapter, Richard becomes suffocated as a permanent obligation to his mother and many sisters sets in and he resents the repeated cycle. The reoccurring routine becomes highly noticed by Ricard that he has a sense of clarity and foreshadowing of the future as an old man stuck in the same place. With the urge to escape, Richard finds a solution through the enlisting of the military in hopes of becoming a writer and never returning to Santa Clara. The role of women in Pocho can be viewed as possessing the same obligation as

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