……And the Earth Did Not And the Earth Did Not Devour Him: Devour Him: They’ve Got They’ve Got

Something to LoseSomething to Lose

FeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

7 May 20127 May 2012

That year was lost to him. At times he tried to That year was lost to him. At times he tried to remember and, just about when he thought everything remember and, just about when he thought everything was clearing up some, he would be at a loss for words. It was clearing up some, he would be at a loss for words. It almost always began with a dream in which he would almost always began with a dream in which he would suddenly awaken and then realize that he was really suddenly awaken and then realize that he was really asleep. Then he wouldn’t know whether what he was asleep. Then he wouldn’t know whether what he was thinking had happened or not.thinking had happened or not.

It always began when he would hear someone It always began when he would hear someone calling him by his name but when he turned his head to calling him by his name but when he turned his head to see who was calling, he would make a complete turn and see who was calling, he would make a complete turn and there he would end up – in the same place. This was why there he would end up – in the same place. This was why he never could discover who was calling him nor why. he never could discover who was calling him nor why. And then he even forgot the name he had been called.And then he even forgot the name he had been called.

One time he stopped at mid-turn and fear One time he stopped at mid-turn and fear suddenly set in. He realized that he had called himself. suddenly set in. He realized that he had called himself. And thus the lost year began.And thus the lost year began.

He tried to figure out when that time he had come He tried to figure out when that time he had come to call “year” had started. He became aware that he was to call “year” had started. He became aware that he was always thinking and thinking and from this there was no always thinking and thinking and from this there was no way out. Then he started thinking about how he never way out. Then he started thinking about how he never thought and this was when his mind would go blank and thought and this was when his mind would go blank and he would fall asleep. But before falling asleep he saw he would fall asleep. But before falling asleep he saw and heard many things…and heard many things…

What his mother never knew What his mother never knew was that every night he would was that every night he would drink the glass of water that she drink the glass of water that she left under the bed for the spirits. left under the bed for the spirits.

She always believed that they She always believed that they drank the water, and so she drank the water, and so she continued doing her duty. continued doing her duty.

Once he was going to tell her, Once he was going to tell her, but then he thought he’d wait but then he thought he’d wait and tell her when he was grown and tell her when he was grown up.up.

What would you do – what What would you do – what have have you done – for your you done – for your loved ones?loved ones?

What would you give if giving meant you could help What would you give if giving meant you could help them?them?

What would you take from them if you knew they were What would you take from them if you knew they were willing to give it?willing to give it?

““In a book that’s so small, so readable, and so In a book that’s so small, so readable, and so poetic, there are…many, many very deep, poetic, there are…many, many very deep, philosophical, theological issues. And it’s fun to deal philosophical, theological issues. And it’s fun to deal with them.” with them.”

Nicolás KanellosNicolás Kanellos ““There’s a lot of beautiful poetry in Tomás There’s a lot of beautiful poetry in Tomás

Rivera’s novel, you’ll find. You know, even though it’s Rivera’s novel, you’ll find. You know, even though it’s a very harsh experience that the book conveys – you a very harsh experience that the book conveys – you know, pain, suffering, the sun bearing down on the know, pain, suffering, the sun bearing down on the people as they're working – there are moments that people as they're working – there are moments that are refreshing, and inspiring, like little fleeting swirls are refreshing, and inspiring, like little fleeting swirls of beauty. Like, for example, when [the child] goes of beauty. Like, for example, when [the child] goes out into the silvery night. It is magical.out into the silvery night. It is magical.

Evangelina Vigil-PiñónEvangelina Vigil-Piñón

……And the Earth Did Not Devour Him And the Earth Did Not Devour Him defies defies conventional analysis, in part because it’s a deeply conventional analysis, in part because it’s a deeply unconventional book.unconventional book.

It consists of twenty-seven stories, including the It consists of twenty-seven stories, including the two framing sections (“The Lost Year” and “Under the two framing sections (“The Lost Year” and “Under the House”) that comprise its beginning and ending.House”) that comprise its beginning and ending.

Together, they form what Ramon Saldivar calls Together, they form what Ramon Saldivar calls “a major document of Chicano social and literary “a major document of Chicano social and literary history.” history.”

The term “Chicano” – as in “Chicano literature” The term “Chicano” – as in “Chicano literature” – refers to Americans of Mexican descent.– refers to Americans of Mexican descent.

Rivera was born in Crystal City, TX; his parents, Rivera was born in Crystal City, TX; his parents, both native to Mexico, were migrant workers.both native to Mexico, were migrant workers.

““Many Mexicans and Chicanos provide labor for Many Mexicans and Chicanos provide labor for farmers throughout the United States, particularly in farmers throughout the United States, particularly in the West and Midwest. The work is seasonal, the West and Midwest. The work is seasonal, exhausting, and pays very low wages…Many migrant exhausting, and pays very low wages…Many migrant workers still toil under oppressive conditions similar workers still toil under oppressive conditions similar to those experienced by the [characters] in Rivera's to those experienced by the [characters] in Rivera's novel.”novel.”

-paraphrased from Annenberg-paraphrased from Annenberg

Also paraphrased from Annenberg: one of the Also paraphrased from Annenberg: one of the reasons for the influx of Mexican and Chicano laborers in reasons for the influx of Mexican and Chicano laborers in the American Southwest was the Bracero Program, the American Southwest was the Bracero Program, which took place in 1942.which took place in 1942.

In order to fill the gaps in the labor market left In order to fill the gaps in the labor market left behind by a huge drain on manpower (most workers behind by a huge drain on manpower (most workers having been sent away to fight in World War II), the having been sent away to fight in World War II), the American and Mexican governments jointly instituted a American and Mexican governments jointly instituted a set of labor laws intended to provide fair treatment for set of labor laws intended to provide fair treatment for Mexican nationals recruited to work in the United Mexican nationals recruited to work in the United States.States.

While these laborers were, in part, taking the While these laborers were, in part, taking the place of workers sent to the front, the program didn’t place of workers sent to the front, the program didn’t protect the workers fully, and they were often exploited.protect the workers fully, and they were often exploited.

In the meantime, many workers brought their In the meantime, many workers brought their families with them, having and/or raising children families with them, having and/or raising children stateside. stateside.

When the Bracero Program expired, the workers When the Bracero Program expired, the workers were allowed to stay, but the program’s meager were allowed to stay, but the program’s meager protections no longer applied – leaving behind a cheap, protections no longer applied – leaving behind a cheap, easily-abused source of labor that was meant to fill jobs easily-abused source of labor that was meant to fill jobs now being taken by returning soldiers but ended up now being taken by returning soldiers but ended up largely in fields and farms, taking whatever work they largely in fields and farms, taking whatever work they could in order to provide for their families.could in order to provide for their families.

……And the Earth Did Not Devour HimAnd the Earth Did Not Devour Him is a is a response to certain realities of Chicano and response to certain realities of Chicano and migrant life – the difficulty of defining migrant life – the difficulty of defining yourself when you feel like you don’t belong yourself when you feel like you don’t belong anywhere, the complicated morality of an anywhere, the complicated morality of an insecure existence – and the result of them as insecure existence – and the result of them as well.well.

Rivera focuses particularly closely on the Rivera focuses particularly closely on the lives of Chicanos serving as migrant lives of Chicanos serving as migrant agricultural workers during World War II and agricultural workers during World War II and up through the 1960s.up through the 1960s.

It was one of only a few novels in print It was one of only a few novels in print about Chicanos in this country at the time about Chicanos in this country at the time (late ‘60s/early ’70s).(late ‘60s/early ’70s).

Because Rivera largely preceded the Because Rivera largely preceded the larger Chicano literary movement (helping to larger Chicano literary movement (helping to inspire it, actually), he was basically writing inspire it, actually), he was basically writing in a vacuum – without a novelistic or fictional in a vacuum – without a novelistic or fictional tradition to orient himself.tradition to orient himself.

From Nicolás Kanellos: “From a From Nicolás Kanellos: “From a literary point of view…this is a very, very literary point of view…this is a very, very sophisticated book. Not only is it poetic, sophisticated book. Not only is it poetic, not only is the language poetic, but also not only is the language poetic, but also the devices of plot construction and the devices of plot construction and perspective are very, very highly literary perspective are very, very highly literary and belong to the new novel. and belong to the new novel.

They belong to what people have They belong to what people have assumed is the Latin American boom, assumed is the Latin American boom, where the reader is expected to construct where the reader is expected to construct the narrative. the narrative.

So there are all kinds of clues in the So there are all kinds of clues in the book that lead the reader to piece book that lead the reader to piece together who is speaking at what time, together who is speaking at what time, what it means, what are the relationships what it means, what are the relationships of the characters, so this becomes of the characters, so this becomes somewhat of an artistic literary puzzle.somewhat of an artistic literary puzzle.

Many people have called this the Many people have called this the Chicano Chicano Grapes of Wrath.Grapes of Wrath.

And the same kinds of historical And the same kinds of historical background that tell us about the Dust background that tell us about the Dust Bowl, and what John Steinbeck Bowl, and what John Steinbeck documented through documented through The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath is here. We have that background. is here. We have that background.

And, in fact, not only do we have that And, in fact, not only do we have that background historically, we have it today. background historically, we have it today. Because all of these issues, and all of Because all of these issues, and all of these trends in immigration, and farm these trends in immigration, and farm labor, and unionizing labor, and poor labor, and unionizing labor, and poor schooling for migrant workers – and for schooling for migrant workers – and for poor kids – still exist in this country.poor kids – still exist in this country.

Tomás Rivera had been writing Tomás Rivera had been writing before the official Chicano movement got before the official Chicano movement got underway (which historians and scholars underway (which historians and scholars place around 1965), when Cesar Chavez place around 1965), when Cesar Chavez organized farm workers in California, and organized farm workers in California, and tried to unionize them. tried to unionize them.

Along with that unionizing came the Along with that unionizing came the birth of the birth of the El Teatro CampesinoEl Teatro Campesino, with Luis , with Luis Valdez, who very much developed a farm Valdez, who very much developed a farm worker theater and took it around the worker theater and took it around the country and popularized this new kind of country and popularized this new kind of literature that used the language of the literature that used the language of the people. people.

It also had a political message along It also had a political message along with the civil rights movement and with the civil rights movement and protests against Vietnam.”protests against Vietnam.”

While he drew on the traditions While he drew on the traditions Kanellos just mentioned, it’s Kanellos just mentioned, it’s important to remember that Rivera important to remember that Rivera was breaking new ground here.was breaking new ground here.

As he wrote As he wrote …And the Earth Did …And the Earth Did Not Devour HimNot Devour Him (1967–1968), other (1967–1968), other Chicano writers and artists were Chicano writers and artists were finding expression for their ideas finding expression for their ideas and opinions.and opinions.

Production of art and literature Production of art and literature exploded into a full-fledged exploded into a full-fledged movement (which, one could argue, movement (which, one could argue, means that Rivera’s book means that Rivera’s book accomplished its task).accomplished its task).

The Chicano renaissance – later The Chicano renaissance – later dubbed dubbed El MovimientoEl Movimiento – questioned – questioned accepted truths and focused on civil accepted truths and focused on civil rights, labor struggles, and the Vietnam rights, labor struggles, and the Vietnam War (a conflict that brought issues of class War (a conflict that brought issues of class and race within the armed forces to the and race within the armed forces to the public’s attention).public’s attention).

Chicano poets were among the first to Chicano poets were among the first to gain prominence in the movement gain prominence in the movement because the verse nature of their work because the verse nature of their work allowed them to easily recite their writing allowed them to easily recite their writing before groups of students and workers, before groups of students and workers, and they wrote bilingually in order to and they wrote bilingually in order to reach a wide audience; Rivera promoted reach a wide audience; Rivera promoted Chicano authors and contributed to the Chicano authors and contributed to the development of the new literary tradition.development of the new literary tradition.

Thus Thus …And the Earth Did Not Devour …And the Earth Did Not Devour HimHim stands at the intersection of a stands at the intersection of a tonton of of cultural, social, class, and literary cultural, social, class, and literary concerns.concerns.

The changing cultural climate and The changing cultural climate and social consciousness of the United States social consciousness of the United States during the turbulent post-war period gave during the turbulent post-war period gave rise to the world Rivera describes in his rise to the world Rivera describes in his stories.stories.

Rivera’s own life – bouncing from Rivera’s own life – bouncing from school to school, moving from town to school to school, moving from town to town as his parents “followed the work” – town as his parents “followed the work” – gave him the material for those stories. gave him the material for those stories.

And And El teatro campesino El teatro campesino and and el el movimientomovimiento helped define the way Rivera helped define the way Rivera told them.told them.

That narrative style, so distinctly “Rivera” That narrative style, so distinctly “Rivera” at the time, tends to be one of the aspects of at the time, tends to be one of the aspects of Rivera’s work that people struggle with most at Rivera’s work that people struggle with most at first.first.

The narrative isn’t expository (based on The narrative isn’t expository (based on detailed linear and realistic explanations), as it’s detailed linear and realistic explanations), as it’s based more on sensory impressions and based more on sensory impressions and subjective descriptions.subjective descriptions.

Within this new narrative framework, Within this new narrative framework, conventions that we’ve grown accustomed to – conventions that we’ve grown accustomed to – linear chronological development of a plot, for linear chronological development of a plot, for example – fall away.example – fall away.

This means you get snapshots of dialogue This means you get snapshots of dialogue and thoughts / perceptions rather than a and thoughts / perceptions rather than a traditional “story.”traditional “story.”

Although this is like the stream-of-Although this is like the stream-of-consciousness writing popularized by Virginia consciousness writing popularized by Virginia Woolf and the other Modernists around the time Woolf and the other Modernists around the time of the first World War, Rivera’s style, of the first World War, Rivera’s style, fragmentation fragmentation ((veryvery appropriate considering his appropriate considering his material), represents an evolution of the form.material), represents an evolution of the form.

However, this isn’t to say that Rivera However, this isn’t to say that Rivera abandons plot and convention entirely; abandons plot and convention entirely; the structure alternates between tales the structure alternates between tales with titles and vignettes that pick up with titles and vignettes that pick up in in media res, media res, and every story with a title has and every story with a title has a definite, distinct plot and narrative a definite, distinct plot and narrative style.style.

Rivera also experiments with Rivera also experiments with different voices throughout the novel; different voices throughout the novel; stories will alternate between female and stories will alternate between female and male perspectives, between omniscient male perspectives, between omniscient external narrators and claustrophobia-external narrators and claustrophobia-inducing first-person viewpoints.inducing first-person viewpoints.

Without giving too much away, the Without giving too much away, the scene at the end in scene at the end in Under the House Under the House is is just just amazingamazing from a writing standpoint. from a writing standpoint.

Rivera can swim between narrative Rivera can swim between narrative perspectives because the text is undeniably based perspectives because the text is undeniably based on people Rivera met, stories he heard, and – yes – on people Rivera met, stories he heard, and – yes – his own experiences.his own experiences.

Rivera: “I saw a lot of suffering and much Rivera: “I saw a lot of suffering and much isolation of the people. Yet they lived through the isolation of the people. Yet they lived through the whole thing, perhaps because they had no choice. I whole thing, perhaps because they had no choice. I saw a lot of heroic people and I wanted to capture saw a lot of heroic people and I wanted to capture their feelings.”their feelings.”

Kanellos: “Some try to see in this book a Kanellos: “Some try to see in this book a biography of Tomás Rivera. Well, [like] any author, biography of Tomás Rivera. Well, [like] any author, Tomás Rivera included incidents from his life, Tomás Rivera included incidents from his life, characters from his life are woven, but in no way characters from his life are woven, but in no way was this a biography…He knew that he was was this a biography…He knew that he was constructing something that was in the mainstream constructing something that was in the mainstream of avant-garde literature at the time that he was of avant-garde literature at the time that he was writing. And he saw the world that way. So it was in writing. And he saw the world that way. So it was in no way an autobiography. The main character is not no way an autobiography. The main character is not Tomás. It's a broad interpretation of the struggles Tomás. It's a broad interpretation of the struggles of migrant workers, Mexican Americans, other of migrant workers, Mexican Americans, other ethnic groups that need to find themselves in a ethnic groups that need to find themselves in a minority culture. It has epic dimensions…”minority culture. It has epic dimensions…”

Rivera writes about the people – Rivera writes about the people – la gente la gente ––and the book is clearly influenced by oral and the book is clearly influenced by oral traditions (the practice of passing along traditions (the practice of passing along knowledge and entertainment through direct knowledge and entertainment through direct human interaction, face to face).human interaction, face to face).

This concentration on multiple voices This concentration on multiple voices helps to connect the novel to the traditions we helps to connect the novel to the traditions we mentioned earlier.mentioned earlier.

It also emphasizes that the book is about It also emphasizes that the book is about a community (and communal experience) a community (and communal experience) rather than a traditional protagonist / rather than a traditional protagonist / antagonist pairing.antagonist pairing.

The effect, oddly enough, is akin to a The effect, oddly enough, is akin to a Tralfamadorian novel fused with Tralfamadorian novel fused with Beowulf:Beowulf: we we cross space and time, peering into a bunch of cross space and time, peering into a bunch of different lives and stories, seeing each one as different lives and stories, seeing each one as it lies only to get a completely different, more it lies only to get a completely different, more profound view when we step back and look at profound view when we step back and look at the whole mountain range.the whole mountain range.

This is clear from the first story, This is clear from the first story, “The Lost Year.”“The Lost Year.”

The larger novel itself is framed The larger novel itself is framed by the opening and closing sections, by the opening and closing sections, in which we are aware of a young in which we are aware of a young boy who has lost everything.boy who has lost everything.

It’s a deeply confusing opening It’s a deeply confusing opening for most people, mainly because it’s for most people, mainly because it’s not clear who the boy is or what he not clear who the boy is or what he represents…but it’s one of those represents…but it’s one of those very English-y openings where it’s very English-y openings where it’s clear he represents clear he represents something.something.

As for the tales and vignettes As for the tales and vignettes between the framing stories, they take between the framing stories, they take place in seemingly unrelated places place in seemingly unrelated places and unspecified points in time.and unspecified points in time.

These stories allegorically depict These stories allegorically depict twelve months’ (one year’s) worth of twelve months’ (one year’s) worth of collective migrant experiences – and collective migrant experiences – and the novel serves as a communal the novel serves as a communal history, covering the lives, loves, and history, covering the lives, loves, and losses of oft-forgotten men and losses of oft-forgotten men and women.women.

In other words, the framing story In other words, the framing story isn’t that important in its own right – isn’t that important in its own right – it’s important because it relates the it’s important because it relates the rest of the book to itself, and the rest of the book to itself, and the beginning makes much more sense beginning makes much more sense once you’ve read the ending.once you’ve read the ending.

The novel is deeply concerned with The novel is deeply concerned with exploitation, injustice, and oppression, whether exploitation, injustice, and oppression, whether it be economic, social, or spiritual in nature.it be economic, social, or spiritual in nature.

As a result, …As a result, …And the Earth Did Not Devour And the Earth Did Not Devour HimHim also functions as a memorial to, and also functions as a memorial to, and reconstitution of, the “forgotten history of a reconstitution of, the “forgotten history of a people’s oppression and struggles” – and as an people’s oppression and struggles” – and as an eruption of America’s suppressed political eruption of America’s suppressed political unconscious.unconscious.

As alluded to before, the novel was As alluded to before, the novel was written during the organization of the United written during the organization of the United Farm Movement in California and the Chicano Farm Movement in California and the Chicano Civil Rights Movement.Civil Rights Movement.

There are tons of allegorical references to There are tons of allegorical references to the farm workers’ movement, coming out of the the farm workers’ movement, coming out of the fields and shadows as invisible labor, fields and shadows as invisible labor, demanding their place in the sun.demanding their place in the sun.

In many ways, the collection of In many ways, the collection of stories in this book are about gaining, re-stories in this book are about gaining, re-gaining, or losing something – whether it’s gaining, or losing something – whether it’s identity, faith, or hope.identity, faith, or hope.

The boy represents the developing The boy represents the developing Chicano/migrant community – lacking self-Chicano/migrant community – lacking self-awareness, struggling to understand itself awareness, struggling to understand itself through experience, unaware of its power.through experience, unaware of its power.

This is a community in search of its This is a community in search of its identity; it needs an idea of what that is.identity; it needs an idea of what that is.

The book is about that struggle to The book is about that struggle to understand; if the boy can begin to understand; if the boy can begin to remember what he has forgotten, perhaps remember what he has forgotten, perhaps the community can come together in the community can come together in solidarity – and protect one another in a solidarity – and protect one another in a world that too often abuses them.world that too often abuses them.

The narrator in “The Lost Year” is stripped The narrator in “The Lost Year” is stripped of subject and identity, born into a world of of subject and identity, born into a world of absence and loss, as Saldivar puts it.absence and loss, as Saldivar puts it.

He must attempt to rediscover his name, He must attempt to rediscover his name, and to recover the events that compose and to recover the events that compose un aun añño o perdidoperdido, the lost year., the lost year.

He begins the novel with no sense of name He begins the novel with no sense of name or place; he calls out and tries to listen without or place; he calls out and tries to listen without realizing that he is the one trying to speak.realizing that he is the one trying to speak.

He is not even sure whether he is awake or He is not even sure whether he is awake or dreaming – unsure of who he is or what he is dreaming – unsure of who he is or what he is experiencing.experiencing.

What What isis the Chicano/migrant experience? the Chicano/migrant experience? This novel attempts to help define it.This novel attempts to help define it.

If the child can remember, he – and the If the child can remember, he – and the community – can gain self-awareness.community – can gain self-awareness.

As a result, we as readers are asked to As a result, we as readers are asked to examine the relationship between individuality examine the relationship between individuality and collectivity.and collectivity.

What’s fascinating about this community is What’s fascinating about this community is the real way in which solidarity can help protect the real way in which solidarity can help protect people – can help them survive – in a world that people – can help them survive – in a world that refuses to care for or help them; this community refuses to care for or help them; this community will form because the people will form because the people needneed it to form. it to form.

They’re in a position where they’ve already They’re in a position where they’ve already lost just about everything, and every day is simply lost just about everything, and every day is simply a struggle to avoid losing the rest.a struggle to avoid losing the rest.

So much is lost over the course of …So much is lost over the course of …And the And the Earth Did Not Devour HimEarth Did Not Devour Him – lives, innocence, faith – – lives, innocence, faith – that the book can feel almost oppressive at times.that the book can feel almost oppressive at times.

But that’s somewhat the point – there isn’t But that’s somewhat the point – there isn’t really an escape for the migrant workers and really an escape for the migrant workers and families, at least not one provided by the outside families, at least not one provided by the outside world.world.

If they want to change their lives, change If they want to change their lives, change their fates, they need to come together and agitate their fates, they need to come together and agitate for change. for change.

Only through the help of others can we hope Only through the help of others can we hope to save ourselves – and only through our to save ourselves – and only through our connections to others, to the world, can we become connections to others, to the world, can we become truly self-aware.truly self-aware.

Now that we understand Rivera’s Now that we understand Rivera’s intentions, the story doesn’t seem so intentions, the story doesn’t seem so confusingconfusing– Boy = Chicano migrant communityBoy = Chicano migrant community– Year = Sense of shared experiences and Year = Sense of shared experiences and

heritageheritage– Call/Name = Community searching for Call/Name = Community searching for

its identity and purpose; first steps its identity and purpose; first steps towards self-awarenesstowards self-awareness

Unity frees us, and shared Unity frees us, and shared heritage gets us there…but can heritage gets us there…but can heritage harm as well?heritage harm as well?

We’ll study family ties, as well as We’ll study family ties, as well as the changing role of faith, the changing role of faith, throughout the text.throughout the text.

One of the accepted truths Rivera One of the accepted truths Rivera chooses to question – or at least examine chooses to question – or at least examine – is the role of religion in the migrant – is the role of religion in the migrant experience.experience.

Rivera posits that heritage and unity Rivera posits that heritage and unity can free you – but will faith simply can free you – but will faith simply convince you to accept your bondage?convince you to accept your bondage?

This is one of the more controversial This is one of the more controversial aspects of the novel, as the characters aspects of the novel, as the characters experience a great deal of religious experience a great deal of religious turmoil.turmoil.

This is also one of the reasons that This is also one of the reasons that the “innocence” theme is so important – the “innocence” theme is so important – Rivera shows the crumbling of faith Rivera shows the crumbling of faith in the in the young young as a response to a cruel and unjust as a response to a cruel and unjust world.world.

While faith is not placed in the best light While faith is not placed in the best light over the course of the book, Rivera seems over the course of the book, Rivera seems less interested in criticizing faith than in less interested in criticizing faith than in studying the ramifications of its loss – and studying the ramifications of its loss – and what causes it to disappear.what causes it to disappear.

What he does seem to criticize – in What he does seem to criticize – in keeping with El Movemiento’s philosophies – keeping with El Movemiento’s philosophies – is is blindblind acceptance or acceptance or blindblind faith. faith.

After all, the movement is predicated on After all, the movement is predicated on questioning the things (and injustices) that questioning the things (and injustices) that we have taken for granted, even we have taken for granted, even unconsciously.unconsciously.

If you understand the larger themes If you understand the larger themes Rivera is grappling with – as well as his larger Rivera is grappling with – as well as his larger ideological concerns – it’s easier to ideological concerns – it’s easier to understand why religion plays the role it does understand why religion plays the role it does early in this novel.early in this novel.

Does the search for the truth set you Does the search for the truth set you free?free?

The flip side of freedom is loneliness The flip side of freedom is loneliness and isolation.and isolation.

The child in the second story is The child in the second story is isolated by his actions – and his isolated by his actions – and his knowledge.knowledge.

They separate him from his mother / They separate him from his mother / family / nascent community, all of which family / nascent community, all of which find their center in faith.find their center in faith.

The truth – as he understands it – is The truth – as he understands it – is exceptionally lonely; anyone who has kept exceptionally lonely; anyone who has kept a secret knows why.a secret knows why.

““He’ll tell her when he grows up” – He’ll tell her when he grows up” – that’s a long time to carry something like that’s a long time to carry something like that.that.

One of the noteworthy aspects of the story One of the noteworthy aspects of the story is the way that the “natural order” is reversed.is the way that the “natural order” is reversed.

Rather than keeping secrets from the young Rather than keeping secrets from the young to keep them in line – Santa! – the mother is blind to keep them in line – Santa! – the mother is blind to the “truth,” and the child chooses not to tell to the “truth,” and the child chooses not to tell her.her.

He does this out of love – a deep, fiery love He does this out of love – a deep, fiery love – because he knows that she will continue “doing – because he knows that she will continue “doing her duty.”her duty.”

What would happen to her if she found out What would happen to her if she found out the truth?the truth?

Think about Mother Teresa…Think about Mother Teresa… By drinking the water, he shoulders a By drinking the water, he shoulders a

burden – and he continues to carry it for her.burden – and he continues to carry it for her. This means that, on some level, she has lost This means that, on some level, she has lost

him.him. Who should we feel sad for – the boy and his Who should we feel sad for – the boy and his

losses, or his mother and hers?losses, or his mother and hers?

There’s a great deal of conflict in that There’s a great deal of conflict in that initial vignette, understated though it initial vignette, understated though it might be.might be.

I’ll need you to watch for those I’ll need you to watch for those conflicts throughout the book – what conflicts throughout the book – what causes them, what concludes them (if causes them, what concludes them (if anything), and who they involve.anything), and who they involve.

For each story, identify what the For each story, identify what the conflicts are and whether they are internal conflicts are and whether they are internal or external. If a conflict is external, decide or external. If a conflict is external, decide into which of the three categories it falls:into which of the three categories it falls:– Character vs. CharacterCharacter vs. Character– Character vs. SocietyCharacter vs. Society– Character vs. SelfCharacter vs. Self

•Note: Some work for multiple categories!Note: Some work for multiple categories! If it is internal, determine which If it is internal, determine which

external factors cause it.external factors cause it.

If the first vignette was a deeply If the first vignette was a deeply intense internal conflict, how do we intense internal conflict, how do we grapple with what happens in grapple with what happens in The The Children Couldn’t Wait?Children Couldn’t Wait?

Is this the result of an internal or Is this the result of an internal or external conflict?external conflict?

Is this the result of a Is this the result of a lacklack of an of an internal conflict?internal conflict?

Where is the anger? Where is the Where is the anger? Where is the justice? justice?

The boss tries to kill himself The boss tries to kill himself after he’s acquitted; he knows after he’s acquitted; he knows better, and his actions indict better, and his actions indict society’s callousness.society’s callousness.

From the first two stories, Rivera is From the first two stories, Rivera is contrasting several aspects of humanity – contrasting several aspects of humanity – some good, some bad, some in between.some good, some bad, some in between.

Is the child doing something wrong in Is the child doing something wrong in the vignette? What about in the vignette? What about in The Children The Children Couldn’t Wait?Couldn’t Wait?

Is the boss evil? How do we judge his Is the boss evil? How do we judge his suicide attempt?suicide attempt?

Start keeping track of the “good” and Start keeping track of the “good” and the “bad” – and start monitoring what the “bad” – and start monitoring what separates the two in your eyes.separates the two in your eyes.

The book contains many shades of The book contains many shades of grey.grey.

Consider these same questions for our Consider these same questions for our next two stories – the mother in next two stories – the mother in A PrayerA Prayer and the child in and the child in It’s That It Hurts.It’s That It Hurts.

The book’s beginning gives us what The book’s beginning gives us what we need without revealing every card.we need without revealing every card.

There’s much more to come as we There’s much more to come as we delve deeper into Rivera’s stories – some delve deeper into Rivera’s stories – some of which are quite dark.of which are quite dark.

Never lose sight of Rivera’s Never lose sight of Rivera’s objectives: to achieve social justice for objectives: to achieve social justice for his people, to understand his own his people, to understand his own identity and place in the world, and to identity and place in the world, and to highlight life in all its complexities.highlight life in all its complexities.

That’s what we do here in B2 in a That’s what we do here in B2 in a nutshell…and that’s why we’ll conclude nutshell…and that’s why we’ll conclude with this book.with this book.