Esmeralda Santiago’s When I Was Puerto Rican was her first autobiographic novel and it was the precursor of two following memoirs: Almost a Woman and The Turkish Lover. In When I Was Puerto Rican Santiago tells of her early childhood during the 1950s and ‘60s. The story told in the novel starts in Puerto Rico at Santiago’s age of four up to the age of thirteen when she immigrates with her mother and her then six siblings to the US to live in Brooklyn, New York. Her memoir does not only show the difficulty of switching between two different cultures and mentalities, American and Puerto Rican, but it also portrays the coming of age process of a girl who has to find a balance between her individual desires and expectations of her surrounding world. The novel reveals the Santiago family’s dealings with the pitfalls of poverty and their dreams of a better life. This family experiences life in all varieties: they are moving from the rural town of Macún to the urban area of Santurce, a district of Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan. The family’s destiny as a whole unity is yet only a framing plot.
The novel illustrates the struggle of understanding the world from a child’s perspective. In the case of young Esmeralda it is especially hard to understand the dynamics of her unmarried parents’ relationship. For her it is a challenging rethinking process to learn how to tell from her parents’ behavior, who is right and who is wrong. She also longs for appreciation called forth by sibling rivalry and the maternal responsibility for her younger sisters and brothers make Esmeralda question woman- and manhood, which eventually leads her to an inner rebellion. In When I Was Puerto Rican Santiago shares the beginning of her search for the intricate question of her own sexuality. She unveils her solitary way to find femininity, how she had to find the answers to her questions all by herself, due to the omnipresent secretiveness about sexuality. Santiago explains how her younger self tried to unfold the mystery of her mother’s constant but unexplained warning of being casi señorita – almost a young lady. This memoir illustrates the transformation from an inexperienced girl to a teenager, who tries to define herself and figure out what she wants and expects from life.
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: Esmeralda Santiago's Childhood in Puerto Rico
- Chapter 3: Gender Roles and Sexuality in Puerto Rican Society
- Chapter 4: Esmeralda's Search for Identity and Independence
Objectives and Key Themes
This preview aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Esmeralda Santiago's When I Was Puerto Rican, focusing on its depiction of female adolescent sexuality within the cultural context of 1950s and 60s Puerto Rico. The preview will analyze the novel's portrayal of family dynamics, gender roles, and the protagonist's journey toward self-discovery.
- Coming-of-age in a patriarchal society
- The complexities of family relationships and parental figures
- The exploration of female sexuality and its societal constraints
- The impact of cultural clashes and societal expectations
- The search for personal identity and independence
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter introduces Esmeralda Santiago's When I Was Puerto Rican, highlighting it as the first in a series of autobiographical works. It sets the stage by briefly summarizing the novel's narrative arc, focusing on Santiago's childhood in Puerto Rico and subsequent immigration to the United States. The chapter establishes the central theme of navigating cultural differences and the complexities of growing up as a young girl. It also hints at the exploration of family dynamics and the challenges of understanding adult relationships from a child's perspective.
Chapter 2: Esmeralda Santiago's Childhood in Puerto Rico: This chapter delves into Esmeralda's early life in Puerto Rico, portraying her experiences from ages four to thirteen. It details the family's socioeconomic struggles and their moves between rural and urban environments. The chapter focuses on the complexities of Esmeralda's parents' relationship, her observations of their interactions, and her attempts to understand the dynamics of their unmarried partnership. This section lays the groundwork for understanding the later chapters' explorations of gender roles and the complexities of a patriarchal society.
Chapter 3: Gender Roles and Sexuality in Puerto Rican Society: This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the rigid gender roles present in 1950s and 60s Puerto Rican society. It explores the concepts of *marianismo* and *machismo*, examining how these cultural norms shaped the lives of women and men. The chapter uses examples from Esmeralda's life to illustrate the consequences of these societal expectations, particularly regarding female sexuality and behavior. It also contrasts male and female societal freedoms and expectations, highlighting the double standards and inherent inequalities.
Chapter 4: Esmeralda's Search for Identity and Independence: This chapter focuses on Esmeralda's journey toward self-discovery and independence. It showcases her intellectual curiosity, her rebellious spirit, and her struggle against societal constraints. The chapter highlights Esmeralda's fascination with freedom and her desire to break free from the limitations imposed upon her by gender roles and societal expectations. Her internal rebellion and her desire to understand her own sexuality and place within society are explored. This section details instances of her defiance and her internal conflict with societal pressures.
Keywords
Puerto Rican culture, female adolescent sexuality, gender roles, *marianismo*, *machismo*, coming-of-age, family dynamics, cultural identity, societal expectations, self-discovery, immigration, autobiographical narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions: Esmeralda Santiago's *When I Was Puerto Rican*
What is this document?
This is a comprehensive preview of Esmeralda Santiago's autobiography, *When I Was Puerto Rican*. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The preview focuses on the novel's depiction of female adolescent sexuality within the cultural context of 1950s and 60s Puerto Rico.
What are the main themes explored in the book?
The book explores several key themes, including coming-of-age in a patriarchal society, the complexities of family relationships, the exploration of female sexuality and its societal constraints, the impact of cultural clashes and societal expectations, and the search for personal identity and independence.
What is the book's setting and time period?
The book is set in Puerto Rico during the 1950s and 60s, focusing on Esmeralda Santiago's childhood and adolescence.
What are the key cultural concepts discussed?
The preview highlights the concepts of *marianismo* and *machismo*, examining how these cultural norms shaped the lives of women and men in Puerto Rican society during that time.
What aspects of Esmeralda Santiago's life are covered?
The book covers Esmeralda's early life in Puerto Rico, her family's socioeconomic struggles, her observations of her parents' relationship, and her journey toward self-discovery and independence in the face of societal expectations.
What is the narrative structure of the book?
The book is an autobiographical narrative, telling the story of Esmeralda Santiago's personal experiences and reflections.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview provides summaries for each chapter: Chapter 1 introduces the novel and its central themes; Chapter 2 details Esmeralda's early life in Puerto Rico; Chapter 3 analyzes gender roles and sexuality in Puerto Rican society; and Chapter 4 focuses on Esmeralda's search for identity and independence.
What are some key words associated with the book?
Keywords include: Puerto Rican culture, female adolescent sexuality, gender roles, *marianismo*, *machismo*, coming-of-age, family dynamics, cultural identity, societal expectations, self-discovery, immigration, and autobiographical narrative.
What is the purpose of this preview?
The purpose of this preview is to provide a comprehensive overview of the book's content, themes, and narrative arc, enabling readers to understand the book's scope and focus before reading it.
- Quote paper
- Magdalena Natalia Zalewski (Author), 2011, The Discovery of Female Adolescent Sexuality in the Cultural Context of Puerto Rico , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/179503
