In Jimmy Santiago Baca's poem “So Mexicans are Taking Jobs from Americans,” the speaker uses illustrative words that subversively evoke powerful images in order to create visual tensions. The statement of paradox from the title is intended to provoke the reader by proclaiming that Mexican people are literally taking away the jobs of working Americans, and states it in a way that is ironic. The first instance of visual tension comes from the first stanza; "Do they come on horses/ with rifles," this is a reference to idealogical Mexicans who ride horses and carry rifles as if they still lived in the wild west. This line sets a tone that assumes that the listener, the American to whom the comment is directed, still retains an outdated view of Mexican people. The very next line "Ese gringo, gimmee your job?" conjures an auditory image of the stereotyped "wild west" Mexican pointing a rifle towards an American "gringo" demanding that he surrender his job or be shot. The irony of this image is that there are in fact no Mexicans forcing anyone out of their jobs at gunpoint, which is juxtaposed by the absurdity of the statement that Mexicans are taking jobs from Americans.
Good job on the analysis. I like how you saw the irony within the title and how you explained the exaggerations like "Ese gringo, gimme your job". Do you think that the authors style in writing creates a more powerful message?
ReplyDeleteThe author's choice of words definitely creates a more defined visual image, making the message of the poem resonate with a very clear tone. The message is much more powerful because of the reader's ability to conjure a contrasting visual image of the "wild west" Mexican addressing a "modern day" American.
DeleteI liked the reference you made to,"Do they come on horses/ with rifles?" This quotation shows that not only do Americans think of Mexicans in an outdated way but Americans think of themselves as better than Mexicans.Mexicans ride "horses" while Americans are more "advanced" with cars.
ReplyDeleteFrom a new critics perspective i think rachels car analogy is a bit of a stretch.. But i really like what you said josh!!! You definitly seem to know your stuff and i love your variety of word choices that make your comments fun to read like subversively, conjures, and juxtaposed. great analysis.
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