The ratings of each character was chosen according the how many aspects of the colonized mind each character exhibited and the degree to which these categories affected their lives.
Mama Chona: 10
- Internalized Racism
- Internalized Colorism
- Historical Amnesia
- Linguistic Terrorism
These aspects are somewhat intertwined and visible through the hatred of her brown skin, the desire to identify as Spanish rather than Mexican, her imitation of Castilian Spanish and this transference to her child, her treatment of Juanita’s maid, Maria, as well as the rejection of her Indigenous culture and history.
- Internalized Sexism
One can see this through her obedience to Miguel Grande when she becomes senile as she thinks he is her husband and thus the only one she must be subservient to.
- Homophobia
One can see this through her homophobia towards Felix, despite the fact that he is her favorite son.
Angie: 3
- Internalized Sexism
Angie doesn’t display too much cultural schizophrenia, it is mostly through her internalized sexism which is visible in the way that she allows Felix to berate her for how she spends her money, as well as letting JoEl speak down to her.
Felix: 4
- Internalized Homophobia
This is seen in his choice to stay closeted despite his strong lust for men
- Recipient of Linguistic Terrorism
Though his experience isn’t elaborated upon in the book, he is one of the children who was taught to speak a imitation of Castilian Spanish.
- Sexism
This is seen in his treatment of Angie.
Miguel Grande: 10
- Internalized Racism
- Internalized Colorism
- Historical Amnesia
- Recipient of Linguistic Terrorism
The undeniable child of Mama Chona, Miguel Grande displays many aspects of the colonized mind, which can be seen through his displeasure of brown skin, being the recipient of Mama Chona’s imitation of Castilian Spanish, his disrespectful treatment of Juanita’s maid, Maria, as well as his rejection of her Indigenous culture and history.
- Sexism
This can be seen through his enactment of harsh patriarchal values upon the family, such as his affair with Lola, apathy toward his wife, and attempts to make Miguel Chico “a man”
- Homophobia
This can be seen through his curses toward Felix for ‘being selfish and getting himself killed’ as well as his decisions to not press charges against Felix’s murderer
Miguel Chico: 3
- Linguistic Terrorism
- Internalized Racism
Miguel Chico demonstrates some aspects of the colonized mind, primarily through his inheritance of linguistic terrorism from Mama Chona. His distance from his family is motivated by different reasons, however, I find that some it is also rooted in shame for their cultural beliefs.
Juanita: 7
- Internalized Sexism
While Juanita only displays one prominent aspect of the colonized mind, this one characteristic wreaked such havoc on herself, her marriage, and her family I rated it quite high. Even after discovering Miguel Grande’s affair with Lola she tried to return to a monogamous marriage. When that failed, she still allowed him to see Lola when she no longer lived in town. Moreover, though when it did seem as though she had moments where she demanded more respect for herself and her desires as a wife, they were overcome by her wish to make sure her cheating husband still had clean clothes and food as well as her sympathy for Lola during this time.
Lola: 1
Lola doesn’t seem to be too affected by many of the other aspects of the colonized mind in contrast to the other characters. Despite of the cultural taboo of being a sexual woman and cheating on her best friend with her husband, she doesn't appear to feel ashamed about it. Moreover, her relationship to Miguel Grande isn't determined by his patriarchal behavior but rather her own desires. I get the sense that she wouldn't feel a loss if her relationship with Miguel Grande ended.
JoEl: 3
- Sexism
- Possible Homophobia?
JoEl displays a few aspects of the colonized mind, such as the occasional disrespectful treatment of his mother. He is also disrespectful towards his father, which I read as his potential enactment of homophobia against Felix.
Nina: 3
- Inherited Patriarchal Violence
Nina displays one salient aspect of cultural schizophrenia, most notably through the intense corporal punishment of her children which she inherited from her patriarchal father.
Lena: 1
Lena also displays no prominent aspects of the colonized mind or cultural schizophrenia. She is a popular singer and hangs around with other male peers around her age, in an empowered disregard towards the cultural tenets that would accuse of her promiscuity. When she accompanies Miguel Grande when he decides to not press charges against her father’s murderer, she blatantly calls him out on his patriarchal homophobic bullshit.
No comments:
Post a Comment