Hunger For Memory

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Journal Response “Hunger for Memory”

Richard Rodriguez in his book “Hunger of Memory” writes about the psychological impact of lack of heritage in his adulthood for trying to blend both heritages, American and Hispanic in his childhood. His experience as a second-generation Mexican immigrant, growing up in middle class, predominantly white neighborhood where he felt the discrimination and his struggle with the English language. He also tells us about how uncomfortable it was for him to see his parents trying to speak English. He describes to us the two worlds, “The Spanish world at his house and the gringos, American world” that he lived for a period of his life in his childhood. Rodriguez says that he felt very comfortable at home where everyone spoke Spanish. Rodriguez states, “My parents would say something to me and I would feel embraced by the sounds of their words.” (396) It was his language, and the only one that made sense to him. Rodriguez points out how the language barrier both excludes the Hispanic and isolates them from the predominant society. He recalls sitting at the dinner table, joining his parents in mocking the pronunciation of English words, free and clear from the humiliation of the outside world in openly revealing their speech deficiencies. He remembers the first day of catholic school being introduced by a nun as Richard. Rodriguez states “This was the first time I had heard anyone name me in English” (393). This was the beginning of the end of his Hispanic heritage. In school he felt isolated from the rest of the students and at this point he realized he must now embrace his American identity. Frightening as it may have been. Because of his fear of accepting and learning the public language, it would change the comfort of his family life. He would often hesitate when interacting with his fellow students. Several months later his teacher had noticed his lack of participation i...