拉丁美洲文学 英文

“Chicano”
History of Latino Literature
Roots in legends and myths Began as oral tradition Ties to the Catholic religion of Spain

Latino Literature
Why gender roles?

Traditionally, older customs and cultural traditions prevail. Women were expected to be obedient and uphold the family honor.
Why social protest and exploitation?

Latin America


Latin America is a geographic location People from Latin America are all Latin, but not all Hispanic For example, Brazilians speak Portuguese, making them Latin not Hispanic
For example, in Spanish the word for cave is “cueva”, in Portuguese “cova”, Italian “cava”

The Latins (aka Romans) invaded the Iberian Peninsula Founded a province named “Hispania” Lived there 7 centuries “Hispania” evolved into España (Spain)
“Latino/a”

The term “Latino” (as we -- Americans-- use it) encompasses all citizens of the United States whose heritage is Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central American, and South American.
Why Families?

Family is considered one's strongest bond and loyalty, and people in the workforce must often work to support relatives both in the U.S. and in other native countries.

Many Hispanic countries have gone through periods of social unrest. Cuba = communism Dominican Republic = dictatorship


Hispanic is not a RACE but an ETHNIC distinction Hispanics come from all races and physical traits
Chicano


Exclusive term used solely in reference to people of Mexican descent Conquistadors called Mexican Indians “Mexicas” Spaniards dropped the “me” and called them Xicanos (or Chicanos)
Hispanic Literature
History and Background
Latino v. Hispanic v.Chicano
What’s the right term?
Latino


“Latin” comes from Italy Latin in the base language of Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French




Became popular in 1930’s and 40’s as a derogatory term for Mexicans imported for cheap field labor. Term went out of style In 1960’s and 70’s the Brown Power Movement adopted it as term for Mexican-American Today term still has negative connotations for many MexicanAmericans

Common themes:
Familial relationships and Loyalties Poverty Gender roles Social protest and Exploitation
Why Poverty?

Poverty is largely at issue because of the desperate situations in which many Latin American countries find themselves.
Hispanic


“Hispanic” was later used to refer to all territories conquered by Spain in the New World This covers almost all nic” came about in the 1970s as a US Census attempt to quantify Spanishspeaking people Today Hispanic is used to refer to any people whose culture and heritage have direct ties to Spain