The poem “AmeRícan” by Tato Laviera is part of the poet’s latest collection published in 1985. This work is, like his previous publications “Enclave” (1981) and “La carreta made a U-turn” (1979) considered as an outstanding example of “Nuyorican” poetry, that is to say poetry written by Puerto Ricans living in New York.
When trying to understand the poem, it is necessary to understand the circumstances in which it was written. Therefore, a description of the artistic and personal environment of Tato Laviera will be given and the Nuyorican movement will be examined. On this basis, the language and structure of the poem will be studied in detail, concentrating on vocabulary, bilingualism, the title and rhythm. In the third part, the themes and topics of the poem will be analysed with the help of Juan Flores’ concept of the “four definitive moments in the awakening of Nuyourican consciousness”1. Finally, all these aspects will be brought together in a conclusion in which the attempt of pinpointing Tato Laviera’s view on Puerto Rico, America and his own identity will be made.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- "Nuyorican" Poetry
- Tato Laviera
- Structure and Language
- Structure of the Poem
- Structure of the Stanzas
- Language
- Thematic Development
- Introductory Stanzas
- "American" Stanzas
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This analysis aims to understand Tato Laviera's poem "American" within the context of Nuyorican poetry and Laviera's personal experiences. It examines the poem's structure, language, and thematic development to interpret Laviera's perspective on Puerto Rican identity, American identity, and the complexities of biculturalism.
- The development and characteristics of Nuyorican poetry.
- Tato Laviera's life and artistic influences.
- The poem's structural elements and their contribution to its meaning.
- The exploration of themes related to identity, cultural hybridity, and immigration.
- The use of language (bilingualism and code-switching) to express the Nuyorican experience.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces Tato Laviera's poem "American" and its context within Nuyorican poetry. It outlines the analysis's approach, which involves examining Laviera's background, the Nuyorican movement, the poem's structure and language, and its thematic development. The introduction highlights the importance of understanding Laviera's personal and artistic environment to fully grasp the poem's meaning. It sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the poem's complexities and its reflection of the Nuyorican experience in New York.
"Nuyorican" poetry: This section delves into the origins and characteristics of Nuyorican poetry, emphasizing its emergence in the 1960s among Puerto Rican immigrants in New York. It discusses the movement's political roots, its connection to the Civil Rights movement, and its expression of the immigrant experience in the "barrios." The chapter highlights the unique bilingual nature of the poetry, its departure from traditional Spanish-American literary currents, and its influence by African American poetry. It emphasizes the importance of experiencing Nuyorican poetry through oral performance, as exemplified by the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. The chapter concludes by discussing the ongoing tension between Nuyorican writers and those in Puerto Rico, highlighting the complex relationship between the immigrant community and their homeland.
Tato Laviera: This chapter profiles Tato Laviera, a prominent figure in the Nuyorican movement. It details his background, highlighting his upbringing in the Lower East Side's Loisaida and his experiences as a Puerto Rican immigrant. The chapter underscores Laviera's limited formal education and the strong influence of street life and the immigrant experience on his poetry. It also notes his connections to other minority communities, particularly African Americans and Chicanos, as well as his later role as a creative writing instructor. Finally, it emphasizes Laviera's unique perspective, stemming from his birth in Puerto Rico and subsequent migration to New York at age ten, making his experiences particularly relevant to interpreting his poem, "American."
Structure and Language: This section focuses on the formal aspects of Laviera's poem "American." It analyzes the poem's distinctive structure, noting its 15 or 16 stanzas, the introductory quartets, and the repeated use of "American" at the beginning of subsequent stanzas. The chapter discusses the varied lengths of the "American" stanzas and their indentation, emphasizing the visual effect of this structure. It emphasizes how the structure highlights the title's importance, establishing it as a recurring motif or chorus that frames and underscores the multiple facets of what it means to be "American" from Laviera's perspective. The section lays the groundwork for a deeper thematic interpretation by analyzing the poem's linguistic and structural features.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Nuyorican poetry, Tato Laviera, Puerto Rican identity, American identity, bilingualism, biculturalism, immigration, code-switching, marginalization, cultural hybridity, political activism, immigrant experience, urban life, identity formation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Tato Laviera's "American"
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive analysis of Tato Laviera's poem "American," focusing on its structure, language, and thematic development within the context of Nuyorican poetry. It explores Laviera's personal experiences and how they inform his perspective on Puerto Rican and American identities, and the complexities of biculturalism.
What topics are covered in the analysis?
The analysis covers several key areas: the development and characteristics of Nuyorican poetry; Tato Laviera's life and artistic influences; the poem's structural elements and their contribution to its meaning; themes related to identity, cultural hybridity, and immigration; and the use of language (bilingualism and code-switching) to express the Nuyorican experience.
What is Nuyorican poetry?
Nuyorican poetry is a literary movement that emerged in the 1960s among Puerto Rican immigrants in New York. It's characterized by its bilingual nature, its political roots connected to the Civil Rights movement, and its expression of the immigrant experience in the "barrios." It often departs from traditional Spanish-American literary currents and is influenced by African American poetry. Oral performance is a crucial aspect of Nuyorican poetry.
Who is Tato Laviera?
Tato Laviera is a prominent figure in the Nuyorican movement. His upbringing in the Lower East Side's Loisaida and his experiences as a Puerto Rican immigrant heavily influenced his poetry. He had limited formal education, and his work reflects the strong influence of street life and the immigrant experience. He also had connections with other minority communities and later became a creative writing instructor.
How is the poem's structure analyzed?
The analysis examines the poem's structure, noting its 15 or 16 stanzas, introductory quartets, and the repeated use of "American" at the beginning of subsequent stanzas. The varied lengths and indentation of the "American" stanzas are discussed, highlighting their visual effect and contribution to the poem's meaning. The structure's role in establishing "American" as a recurring motif is emphasized.
What are the key themes explored in the poem?
The poem explores themes of Puerto Rican identity, American identity, biculturalism, immigration, marginalization, cultural hybridity, and the complexities of navigating multiple cultural identities. The use of bilingualism and code-switching is analyzed as a crucial element in expressing the Nuyorican experience.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of each section of the analysis, outlining the key arguments and findings of each chapter. They serve as a guide to the overall structure and content of the document.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Key words associated with this analysis include: Nuyorican poetry, Tato Laviera, Puerto Rican identity, American identity, bilingualism, biculturalism, immigration, code-switching, marginalization, cultural hybridity, political activism, immigrant experience, urban life, and identity formation.
What is the overall approach of this analysis?
The analysis uses a multi-faceted approach, combining biographical information about Laviera, an understanding of the Nuyorican poetic tradition, and close textual analysis of the poem's structure and language to interpret its thematic complexities and its reflection of the Nuyorican experience in New York.
- Quote paper
- Agnes Bösenberg (Author), 2003, "AmeRícan" by Tato Laviera: A Puerto Rican in New York, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/14817
