THE IDENTITY FORMATION OF CHICANOS IN RUDOLFO ANAYA’S NOVEL BLESS ME ULTIMA

ANAYA’S NOVEL BLESS ME ULTIMA

THESIS Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the

Sarjana Sastra Degree from English Department Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts Sebelas Maret University

By: SHOFI MAHMUDAH BUDI UTAMI C0307006 ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FACULTY OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY 2012

Name

: Shofi Mahmudah Budi Utami

Student Number

: C 0307006

I declare that this thesis entitled “THE IDENTITY FORMATION OF CHICANOS IN RUDOLFO ANAYA’S NOVEL BLESS ME, ULTIMA” is truly my own work

using primary and secondary sources listed in the bibliography. Nevertheless, if it is proven erroneous, I would take any consequences given from the Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts, Sebelas Maret University.

Surakarta, July 25, 2012 The researcher,

Shofi Mahmudah Budi Utami

“Life is never beyond hope” (Bless Me, Ultima)

“The smallest bit of good can stand against all the powers of evil in the world and it will emerge the triumphant”

(Ultima in Bless Me, Ultima)

“Life is a rebirth in one form or another. Just remember that people in life, locally, come from land. Everythi ng goes back to land”

(Chief of Native American in the book A Tortilla is like Food and Culture in San Antonito by Carole Counihan)

“If you’re not changing, you’re not growing” (Prof. Miguel Gutierrez, CSUDH)

“Growing up makes people lose the beauty of simplicity” (me)

I dedicate this thesis to: My beloved mother and father My sisters (Fitri, Inu, Yusi) My only brother Mufid

First thing first, I am thankful to Allah S.W.T for giving me chances to finish up this thesis. Surely I am nothing without Allah S.W.T.

In the completion of my thesis, some individuals have played an amazing role.

I thank the Dean of Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts, Dr.Riyadi Santosa, M.Ed, Ph.D and all the lecturers in English Department (UNS) for the knowledge and chances to complete this thesis.

I also thank the Head of English Department, Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A, Ph.D., for approving this thesis.

I would like to wholeheartedly thank my thesis advisor, Dra.Susilorini, M.A, for assisting and teaching me to pursue the methods in conducting this research by sharing knowledge and skills until the completion of this research.

I am so grateful to the board of examiners Dra. Endang Sri Astuti, M.S., Karunia Purna K, S.S., M.Si., Dra. Susilorini, M.A., and Fitria Akhmerti P, S.S., M.A. for giving time and contribution to my thesis.

I would like to send my endless gratitude for my family (father, mother, sisters, and brother) for always having led me to a better life, having always supported my academic endeavors, and having always been there in times in needs.

Guttierez as Chicano lecturer, who has taught me about Hispanic Culture and made me interested in it, inspired me to take Chicano issues as my topic for my thesis and also other CSUDH professors (Dr.Z, Dr.Wenzell, Dr.Hauss, Dr.Burckhard Mohr, and Prof. Michael Desroschiers) I was taking classes with. I am grateful for having met, worked and been friends with my program officers in World Learning (Jessica Mead and Lynne Nolte), AMINEF which gave chance to learning experience, all ALCP teachers, dorm mates, and friends in CSU Dominguez Hills, UGRADers 2009-2010 from Indonesia, South Asia, Central and South America, and from Eastern Europe for sharing times together and learning experience during my stay in the States. I also want to send my gratitude for Syntia Hadingtyas, my Indonesian friend in CSUDH, for having been good friend during my stay in the States.

My thanks then go to all of my friends for being good companies, giving me supports, and for sharing great times together. For all ED friends especially Candra, Canti, Irma, July, Mimi, Mita “gondrong”, Pandu, Pondrafi, Puput, Rara, Rifka, Seto,

Sinta, Stevie, and Tyas. I thank you all so much American Studies students 07 and

08, all ED’07 and ED’08 for having been friends with me.

I also thank my dorm mates Hana, Ike, Rara, Retna, Wulan, and also mba Septi Pandan Sari for having been friends with me.

conducting, and completing this thesis, I am so grateful for all assistances you all gave me.

Last but not least, I also want to dedicate my big thanks to all my favorite singers, bands such as Arctic Monkeys, Foster The People, The Kooks, The Strokes, John Mayer, Ingrid Michaelson, Sum 41, Simple Plan, Limpbizkit, ADTR, Sky Sailing, Parachute, Yellowcard, and many more for all of their awesome songs, great words that have accompanied and supported me especially during my time in conducting this research, I really mean it.

Shofi Mahmudah Budi Utami. C0307006. The Identity Formation of Chicanos in Rudolfo Anya’s Novel Bless Me Ultima. Thesis. English Department of Faculty of

Letters and Fine Arts Sebelas Maret University.

This thesis is about the identities formation of Chicanos which are seen through the novel entitled Bless Me Ultima written by Rudolfo Anaya in the 1960’s. It is explained in the thesis how Anaya constructed the Chicano Identities in the 1960’s through the main data which were taken from the novel mainly the characters, characterization, plot, point of view, setting, theme, and dialogues with the supporting data taken from various sources such as books, journals, articles, on line sources which were all significantly related to the issue and useful to answer the research question.

Since this research was interdisciplinary study, it employed some approaches and theory which were aimed to answer the research question. Some approach and theories were socio-cultural, semiotics, and identity politics. The biography of Rudolfo Anaya was also included because it was significant to the answering research question as the novel, Bless Me Ultima, is a semi-autobiographical work.

Through the analysis, it is found that Anaya formed the Chicano identities through the novel Bless Me Ultima. The concept of Chicano identities in the 1960’s constructed in the novel is by tracing back the traditional values of Chicanos and affirming that these traditional values as the ideal characteristic of Chicanos. In order to identify the Chicano identities, Anaya presented cultural conflicts faced by the main character such as Vaquero vs. Llano culture, Catholicism vs. Indigenous myth, and the Chicano culture vs. Anglo culture. In the way to affirm the ideal characteristic of Chicanos, Anaya then traced back the traditional values through the meaning marking of “the land”, the performance of Ultima as curandera and her healing power, and also the maturation of Antonio’s spirituality which represents the Chicano spirituality. The 1960’s, when Anaya wrote and finished this novel, was the time of

the rise of Chicano community to be recognized in the American society. Anaya researched the Chicano identities and used these constructed identities through the literary works to awaken the Chicanos that they have identities, they need to be recognized, to be acknowledged, to have the same rights in the American society.

Keywords : Chicano, curandera, Rudolfo Anaya, 1960’s Chicano literature

INTRODUCTION

A. Research Background

Chicanos have been the major minority group in the United States for years. It is shown from the result of 2010 census that Mexican Americans are still the largest number minority population living in 40 states (U.S Census Bureau 2010). Some states associated with Mexican American population are those bordering with Mexico like Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. Until the mid of nineteenth century, those southwest states were shaped historically by Spanish and subsequently Mexican control. One of the instances was migration from Mexico that continued to affect the contours of social, economic, and political life in the region (Keefe and Padilla, 1987).

All of those transformations in the states reveal the awareness of the existence of Chicanos in the states, especially after the Mexican American War marked with the approval of Treaty Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848). Since this time, a big number of Mexicans became American citizens during the conquest of their homelands (present day Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and California); and then the term “Chicano” began to emerge. The term Chicano was derived from the sixteenth- century pronunciation of Mexicano (“Mechicano”) which then became “Chicano”.

Initially, some researchers made a slight distinction between Mexicano and Chicano.

“Chicanos” only for those who were born in the U.S (Pizzaro, 2005). Technically, Chicanos refer to people of Mexican descent living and socialized in the United

States. According to Pizzaro (2005) the term Chicano includes this group of people as “Mexican”, “American”, “Hispanic”, and “Latin” which became their part of Chicano experience (p. 3).

Chicano groups in the U.S have been through lengthy historical and political experiences of which accounts to construct the making of their identities. However, Chicano identity is almost always associated with stark reality that comes to them. For examples, earning low educational and life outcomes (Pizzaro, 2005); being illegal immigrants or criminals (Anzaldua, 1987); or having been deported to Mexico as the National Origin Act of 1924 was passed (Lopez, 2006). Then, it has become a popular understanding and stereotype that the identity of Chicano is defined with low life expectations. As a matter of fact, Chicano identity is far more complex than this. It can be observed through so many different aspects in their lives. For example, the aspects of acculturation, assimilation, and cultural bond with their roots which describe that identity is multifaceted matter; that is why Chicano identity should be seen from various view points.

Over time, the importance of identity in Chicano experience was increasing especially during the rise of Chicano movement (el movimiento) in around the

1960’s. As it was part of the climate of national political protests in the U.S, the formation of Chicano identity should be viewed alongside the political activities 1960’s. As it was part of the climate of national political protests in the U.S, the formation of Chicano identity should be viewed alongside the political activities

group or a member of this social-political group. Up to the 1960s, identities were, in a sense, clearly defined and

unproblematic. One knew who was who, so to speak, and how he or she was defined as a member of a group. One also knew what to do and how to do it (Development or Revolution, depending on one's perspective). But this is no longer true.

(Escobar cited in Hale, 1995, p.569)

The term Chicano was then widely used during the movements in order to unite the U.S born of Mexican descendant in the era. A certain tendency within the movement was to seek a construction of identity.

The movement was initially raised through Chicano groups who protested to get fair treatment in the 2 nd World War era. Consequently, the first generation of working class Chicanos were finally able to enter a higher education in 1947 (Montejano cited in Jacobs, 2006). Then in 1950’s and 1960’s, they formed new

political activities such as Mexican American Political Association (MAPA), United Farm Workers (UFW) in California, Mexican-American Youth Organization (MAYO) in Arizona, the Alianza Federal de Mercedes (Alliance of Free City States) in New Mexico, etc. Later on, the political issues began to be more specific related with sense of self and identity of which issue was raised in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. By the late 1970’s, the importance of self identity to the Chicano community had been researched and became focal point to study (Pizzaro, 2005). For instance, political activities such as Mexican American Political Association (MAPA), United Farm Workers (UFW) in California, Mexican-American Youth Organization (MAYO) in Arizona, the Alianza Federal de Mercedes (Alliance of Free City States) in New Mexico, etc. Later on, the political issues began to be more specific related with sense of self and identity of which issue was raised in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. By the late 1970’s, the importance of self identity to the Chicano community had been researched and became focal point to study (Pizzaro, 2005). For instance,

Moreover, 1960 ’s and early 1970’s were not only the decades of Mexican American civil-rights protests and a period in Mexican American history that saw a resurgence in cultural and political activity (Jacobs, 2006) but also the rise of Chicano

writings and literary texts with “identities” as the central focus of the writings. Particularly, it is an attempt to celebrate indigenous roots and ethnic nationalism.

Like what Anderson suggests that nationalism is not the awakening of nations to self- consciousness but instead it invents nations where they do not exist. Therefore, Chicano identity seemed to have existed long time ago, but in fact it was still in search through the literary production in this era.

As one of the pioneers of Chicano writers, Rudolfo Anaya was also in a search for self identity. He used literature as the vehicle to express his own ethnic nationalism and cultural pride. Bless Me, Ultima, his first published novel had been awarded the 1971 Premio Quinto Sol Literary Prize for the best Chicano novel of the year (Anaya, 1999). It is a novel telling about a Chicano boy who was raised in New Mexico in a search for his personal identity which is based on the context of social change experienced by many Chicanos during the post war era. The central figure, Antonio, gets through his early life with the help of Ultima (as a curandera or folk healer). The coming of Ultima into Antonio’s life helps him to understand himself, his heritage, conflicts, contradictions, expectations, and his surroundings. Ultima

However, those series of life experiences and the teaching from Ultima contribute to Antonio’s identity formation; he subsequently tries to figure out what it means being

a Chicano. Bless Me, Ultima was published in 1960’s even though it was set in 1940’s, because the issue about identity construction among the Chicanos in 1 960’s was significant. Furthermore, the 1960’s was the time of the outbreak of Chicano Movement. It was through this identity politics that they finally gained political power advancement of their community. This can be seen in the improving condition of t he Chicanos in the 1980’s and 1990’s. In recent years, Chicano identity seems to only have symbolic meaning; but the historical accounts and experiences of Chicano community have verified that Chicano identities have been important issue to be negotiated. Thus, it is interesting to analyze Bless Me, Ultima because it reflects the complexity of Chicano identities formation which could be formed and planted since adolescence. Furthermore, the identity formation of Chicano is challenging to be studied since it is closely related with border study and there are still a few study about Chicano, Chicano literature, and the border.

B. SCOPE OF STUDY

Ethnic identity has become critical filter through which Chicanos are defined distinctive from other ethnic groups. This research is aimed to examine identities formation and the focal point of this research is analyzing some phenomena in the

Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima. In order to get a deeper understanding about identities formation, the analysis is focused on several aspects such as the identities of

Chicanos in the 1960’s, identities seen from Chicano’s point of view since the novel written by male author, and many-sided aspects of Chicanos’ lives to which Chicano

identities might be related.

C. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This research is aimed to answer question: How is the construction of Chicano identity in 1960’s reflected in Rudolfo Anaya’s novel, Bless Me Ultima?

D. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

This research is aimed to describe the construction of Chicano identity in 1960’s in Rudolfo Anaya’s novel, Bless Me, Ultima.

E. BENEFITS OF THE STUDY

The significance of this research is to help us understand the current happening dealing with American Ethnic especially related with ethnic identities. By understanding ethnic identities, it may help us to understand how it is formed upon generations. It is also meant to contribute in broadening the knowledge and topic of American Ethnic class in English Department. This research is also intended to give additional information to the other researchers especially for American Studies The significance of this research is to help us understand the current happening dealing with American Ethnic especially related with ethnic identities. By understanding ethnic identities, it may help us to understand how it is formed upon generations. It is also meant to contribute in broadening the knowledge and topic of American Ethnic class in English Department. This research is also intended to give additional information to the other researchers especially for American Studies

F. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

1. Type of Research This research is a descriptive qualitative research since it is conducted in order to collect and describe information especially about identities formation of Chicanos. That is why understanding and exploring what is within the data will help to find the answers for the problem. “Qualitative research is all about exploring issues,

understa nding

phenomena,

and

answering question.” (www.qsinternational.com/what-is-qualitative-research.aspx).

Additionally, qualitative research is defined as a form of systematic inquiry into meaning which involves interpretive approach. In other words, it does not focus on the quantity of the data but on how to answer research question by providing interpretation through formal and argumentative thinking towards the findings in the literary phenomenon. In relation to that, the researcher needs to collect data which are analyzed with the appropriate approach and theory related to the object study about Chicano identities.

2. Data and Source of Data The source of data in this research is the novel titled Bless Me, Ultima by

Rudolfo Anaya written in 1960’s. The data are devided into two:

Ultima including characters, characterization, plot, point of view, setting, , theme, and dialogues.

b. Secondary data: the supporting data are collected from other sources like books, internet articles, journals which are related to the study of Chicano identities, and the novel Bless Me, Ultima.

3. Technique of Collecting and Analyzing The Data First, the data are collected by reading the novel as the source of data. The main data are then collected and selected based on the problem statements of the research. Next, the selected data are analyzed and discussed by applying correlated approaches and theories to build the idea to answer the research questions. The supporting data are used when it is needed to have a deeper understanding and to interpret the main data before stepping on the further analysis. Afterwards, conclusion is drawn based on the anwers of the research question.

G. THEORETICAL APPROACH

The heterogeneity of ethnic groups existing in United States is undeniable. Besides, the cultures existing in America remain because of the complexity in the society. America as a great nation consists of people coming from various and different background of ethnicities, religions, social life, etc. (Spiller, 1973). Due to all of those complexities, American studies involves several branches of study, for instance Gender studies, Media studies, Ethnic studies, Literary studies, Historical The heterogeneity of ethnic groups existing in United States is undeniable. Besides, the cultures existing in America remain because of the complexity in the society. America as a great nation consists of people coming from various and different background of ethnicities, religions, social life, etc. (Spiller, 1973). Due to all of those complexities, American studies involves several branches of study, for instance Gender studies, Media studies, Ethnic studies, Literary studies, Historical

more properly by understanding the phenomenon in American experience.

More specifically, this research is about American ethnics which is centered in observing the Chicanos through the novel entitled Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. Therefore, this research is conducted under American studies as the umbrella and center of the study. As an interdisciplinary, it uses some approaches and theories to view and analyze the problem. The problem is found in the novel; and novel as the text is seen as cultural product which responds to what is happening in the society. Therefore, literature is seen as the society reflection and representation; and novel can

be the sample of how the literature is produced in order to respond some phenomena in the society. It might be also as the reflection of what is experienced by the author.

Moreover, this novel is semi- autobiographical novel of which author’s experience contributes to the storyline. For Anaya, writing is the expression of freedom that gives him space to reveal his experiences combined with his ideas and activity which become the subject matter for his novel (Martinez, 1995). Rudolfo Anaya in his writings is adhered with the notion of cultural values of his community as well. Besides, he was also trying to make sense of “the self” within his search of

identity; and all of his writing process is a process of documenting his personal experience and traditional values with “self-identity” as the theme. Since his writings identity; and all of his writing process is a process of documenting his personal experience and traditional values with “self-identity” as the theme. Since his writings

As the product of culture, literature has strong relationship with society and it always concerns with the society. It means that the novel concerns with issues about Chicanos as it shows the social and cultural condition of Chicanos. For instance the development within Chicano literary production was set to create a community having non-assimilation tendency. From this, it has been also believed that Chicano groups lack of capability to assimilate with Anglo society. Because the problem is about Chicano group whose image is constructed by the myth as well, signs and myth are both important to analyze in this research; the cultural and social contexts in American society are inseparable with myth. In the article of Introduction: The New American Studies From Myth to Rhetoric , it is stated that America was built by myth (Moulton, 1994). Within the American myth, Chicano community has its own myth as well; and it challenges the American ideology. Literary works are accounts which contain myth as well. That is why it is important to observe the myth about Chicano within American society reflected through literature. Therefore, to thoroughly observe the formation of Chicano identities, socio-cultural approach is then employed in this research in order to understand the society and the culture within the American society. By understanding the social and cultural background of the society, it can closely investigate the formation of Chicano identity.

connection between the text and the events in the real life, semiotics is also beneficial to give an understanding about the meaning relation within the elements of literary text. In accordance to that, literature as a cultural product presents cultural and social phenomena which are rich with signs and meanings. Saussure explained that signs have denotative meanings (real meaning) but then Barthes found out that signs have connotative meaning. Signs here could be either defined as its real meaning (denotatively) or defined as its correlations with the other aspects, such as cultural and social aspects (connotatively). Those concepts help the researcher to analyze the meanings within the text. The meanings are obtained from both signs and myth which are in the novel. Because of the problem is related to the Chicanos whose image is constructed by the myth as well, signs and myth are both important to analyze in this research.

To make a deep analysis about identities, the identity politics theory is valuable to help the researcher make sense of the identities. It is needed to apply this theory since identities carry deep meanings which are defined and constructed

politically, especially identities negotiated in the 1960’s when the explosion of social movements was impossible to miss. Charles Hale (1995) quoted from Campa about

the significance of applying identity politics theory: Even more to the point are efforts to read complex social and political

processes through a few purportedly emblematic literary texts, which yield predictable portrayals of Latin American societies saturated with hybridity, multiplicity, and other so-called keywords of the shift to identity politics (p.569)

More specifically, the identities discussed in here are that of Chicano which are, politically, problematical in the United States for years. That is why identity politics theory digs up the other side of the unfinished problem in the claim and construction of Chicano identities in relation between Chicano and United States.

H. THESIS ORGANIZATION

The thesis consists of four chapters and each chapter is divided into several subchapters. There are Chapter I Introduction, Chapter II Literature Review, Chapter

III Analysis, and Chapter IV Conclusion and Recommendation. The first chapter, Introduction, consists of eight subchapters. There are

Research Background, Scope of the Study, Research Question, Objective of the Study, Benefits of the Study, Research Methodology, Theoretical Approach, and Thesis Organization.

The second chapter, Literature Review, discusses about The Life Background of Rudolfo Anaya and Bless, Me Ultima, Chicano in the United States, Semiotics of the Literature Text, and The Politics of Identity.

The third chapter, Analysis, consists of two main subchapters. The first subchapter is Antonio and his surrounding conflicting cultures. The second subchapter is Ultima and Antonio’s affirmation of Chicano identities. This chapter provides the answers for the research question.

explanation of the research and its conclusion and the recommendation for the next research.

LITERATURE REVIEW

A. The Life Background of Rudolfo Anaya and Bless Me, Ultima

Rudolfo Anaya was born in 30 October, 1937 in a small village called Pastura, New Mexico. In his early years, he and his family moved to Santa Rosa where the simplicity of life existed. Santa Rosa is where his mother from; and the people living there were typically poor, hard working, devout Catholics, living with tradition, and having lives tied with the land so much (Olmos, 1999). He grew up there in a rural place which was surrounded by mostly Hispanic community. He felt his strong connection with the land since the land was the important element within the lives of the people in there. Almost all people were farmers who were always attached with the greatest of nature. Therefore, he grew up with having strong bond with the land and nature; with the thought that there was a spiritual relationship between human and the nature.

In contrast to his mother, his father was a vaquero, or a cowboy whose family were ranchers. The family of his father lived in the area of cattle grazing in the east part of Santa Rosa, Albuquerque. When he was in the 8 th grade, he finally moved to Albuquerque where he reminisced about the historical point about worldview toward Americas: the land, the people, and the indigenism. That he In contrast to his mother, his father was a vaquero, or a cowboy whose family were ranchers. The family of his father lived in the area of cattle grazing in the east part of Santa Rosa, Albuquerque. When he was in the 8 th grade, he finally moved to Albuquerque where he reminisced about the historical point about worldview toward Americas: the land, the people, and the indigenism. That he

religion. This even made him in between his mother and his father; his mom wanted him to become a priest while his father hoped him to be a rancher. Either way, he would never know what he really wanted in life; and he did not know whether he would fulfill one of those dreams or none of them. Otherwise, it had shaped his strong mental character to become an individual having inquisitive mind. It was proved by having curiosity about spiritual connection between men and the nature, the mythological life of the indigenous, and also the link with cultural heritage from his roots which later influenced all of his writings.

His writings typically have the same theme and are semi-autobiographical; that is about his life experience and strong bond with the roots. His experience, such as childhood recollection, is reflected throughout the fictional characters in the novel. Then, the coming of strong character led him to grasp something he would not understand before. The other recollections of his childhood which influence the story in the novel are the warmth of home and his mom‟s tales. All of these memories leave him with power to be able to write. This tradition in telling tales was passed down for generations and it became the characteristic of Chicanos‟ oral tradition which was believed as the ancestral voice. This strong

legacy that cannot be left behind by the Chicanos. The cultural legacy became the symbol of Chicano society which differentiates it from that of the Anglo society. Rudolfo Anaya saw this symbol style of his own culture and took this as his pattern in his writings. He tried to voice his worldview as a Chicano within Chicano literature and to purposely differentiate Chicano literary works from those of the Anglos. Besides, he also intended to construct the identity of being Latin, Hispanic, and specifically Chicano. As he experienced to live in the 1960‟s when the Chicano movement

emerged, he had contributed himself in creating a space especially in literature, to have a respect for cultural recognition from other minority group and from the majority as well. Through literature and all that he did in literature, Rudolfo Anaya had become the pioneer of the founders of Contemporary Chicano literary movement (Olmos, 1999).

His career in writing began in the early 1960‟s when he was still in college. He attended New Mexico University majoring in English after he was

dropped out of business school. He realized that most of his pals barely went into University and only limited number of Chicanos became author; but this had inspired him to become a writer. During his schooling time, he also felt a great competition within Anglo society when he attended University which was the same experience with his high school time. He soon understood that the school system neglected his cultural reality as Mexican Americans. They rather tolerated dropped out of business school. He realized that most of his pals barely went into University and only limited number of Chicanos became author; but this had inspired him to become a writer. During his schooling time, he also felt a great competition within Anglo society when he attended University which was the same experience with his high school time. He soon understood that the school system neglected his cultural reality as Mexican Americans. They rather tolerated

Bless Me, Ultima (BMU) was his first novel that was finished in seven years to complete. It was the first book of trilogy (2 nd book The Heart of Aztlan;

3 rd book Tortuga) stories which gained literary appreciation from several Chicano organizations that bloomed in the Chicano movement era. Anaya had such underlying pattern in writing; exposing the symbolism of his own culture tied with the ancestral tradition and the experience he got through his childhood life. Like what is inserted in BMU, Anaya took Antonio Marez as the central figure reflected his childhood life, and La Grande, Ultima, as a part of reflection of his roots and culture. Antonio Marez as the last child of rancher and farmer family was expected to fulfill his parents‟ dreams. However, the coming of Ultima led him to become a more inquisitive boy to seek whether the nature and human had spiritual connection.

Briefly, Anaya had established the themes and genre of his novels through these first trilogy novels. It was obviously seen that the themes were harmony with natural world and the significance of mythical tradition, spirituality, a means of healing, and also growth for individual and the community. The genres were like the maturation and development of young male protagonists as main characters, with the focus on mythological subjects. In BMU, as in other works of this genre, the reader observed the process of maturation of the main character Briefly, Anaya had established the themes and genre of his novels through these first trilogy novels. It was obviously seen that the themes were harmony with natural world and the significance of mythical tradition, spirituality, a means of healing, and also growth for individual and the community. The genres were like the maturation and development of young male protagonists as main characters, with the focus on mythological subjects. In BMU, as in other works of this genre, the reader observed the process of maturation of the main character

Through BMU, Anaya explored and expressed cultural values within the myths and symbolisms combined with cultural conflicts happened in the southwest society in 1940‟s. The cultural conflicts and contradictions reflected in the novel include the core problems faced by Antonio. For example, the cultural life and experience of Antonio in between farmers and ranchers, Spanish and English speaking worlds, Spanish and Indigenous roots, Catholicism and mythical realm, curandera and bruja, devoutness and skepticism in religion etc. All of these cultural realities were brought up to respond the society‟s contemporary needs in its time, 1960‟s - 1970‟s. Besides, these cultural conflicts faced by Antonio referred to his experience which helped him indentify closely about Chicano (with that part of himself).

Myths, legends, symbolisms that included in Anaya‟s novel were all important elements not only for his novel but also Chicano movement in the era.

Many of the activists, with this contemporary ways, modified those elements to construct and unite their communities‟ political needs in the movements. Along Many of the activists, with this contemporary ways, modified those elements to construct and unite their communities‟ political needs in the movements. Along

Therefore, after completing BMU and got master degree, Anaya resumed teaching creative writing class in University of New Mexico. He was previously teaching at public school in Albuquerque (1963-1970). Since the Chicano movement gave great influence in the social-political condition as well as in the life aspects among Chicanos, he then taught Chicano literature. The significance of Chicano literature developed gradually through this time and kept growing rapidly. Throughout his teaching experience, he had given lectures at many colleges and won several literary awards for his works. Over the years, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping new Chicano writers through the difficult process of getting their voices heard. He also promoted other Chicano writers through his anthology collections in order to have them recognized into larger society. Besides becoming a writer and a lecturer, he was also editor of literary journal in The Blue Mesa Review.

After the success of his trilogy novels, Anaya continued to produce other novels in 90‟s era which had a dramatic change in his genre, style, and subject

matter. The novels such as Albuquerque (1992), Zia Summer (1995), Rio Grande Fall (1996), Jalamanta: A Message from the Desert (1996), Shaman Winter (1999). His writing in 1990‟s do not really represent his former literary or

philosophical concerns but instead they are less mystical, focus more on urban society life, with the genre of detective fiction. Even so, throughout his career of philosophical concerns but instead they are less mystical, focus more on urban society life, with the genre of detective fiction. Even so, throughout his career of

in search of clarifying his identity as Chicano.

B. Chicano in the United States

1. Chicano Political Movement

The emergence of Chicano Political Movement could be viewed alongside the political activities of other ethnic groups occurred in the USA during 1960‟s such as Native American Movements, Black Civil Rights Movements, and Black Power Movements. Similarly, Chicano groups also attempted to organize political protests in order to counter discrimination and to balance the support to their democratic process through political actions. During this political protest decades, Chicano movements have been through several phases that can be categorized into specifically four phases. According Jacobs (2006), the four phases are (1) Reclamation of the Chicano lands in New Mexico, (2) The activism of Cesar Chavez and United Farm Workers in California, (3) Organizations of Crusade for The emergence of Chicano Political Movement could be viewed alongside the political activities of other ethnic groups occurred in the USA during 1960‟s such as Native American Movements, Black Civil Rights Movements, and Black Power Movements. Similarly, Chicano groups also attempted to organize political protests in order to counter discrimination and to balance the support to their democratic process through political actions. During this political protest decades, Chicano movements have been through several phases that can be categorized into specifically four phases. According Jacobs (2006), the four phases are (1) Reclamation of the Chicano lands in New Mexico, (2) The activism of Cesar Chavez and United Farm Workers in California, (3) Organizations of Crusade for

Zapatista-Indianist philosophy, historical confrontation, and land-rights claims. This concept of organizational structure and strong leader like Emiliano Zapata established political consciousness towards the poltical issues in the U.S faced by Chicanos. Political activism during the movement era was seen as the continuity of revolutionary process of getting the basic rights and justice in the U.S. For instance, to get justice in the courts, fair treatment from the police and military, decent living standard, and also bilingual and bicultural system in education.

Historically, the political issues raised in the movement were already shaped before the WW II, but it could be finally organized and recognized after the WW II era. The issues began to be more specific related with the issues of self and identity among the 2 nd generation of Mexican Americans especially in the neighborhoods of Los Angles. At this time, the first Chicano organization was formed, namely Mexican American Movement (MAM) which was promoted through education. Later, the protests demanded on the changes of segregation of schools, housing, public facilities, and also the working condition during the post Historically, the political issues raised in the movement were already shaped before the WW II, but it could be finally organized and recognized after the WW II era. The issues began to be more specific related with the issues of self and identity among the 2 nd generation of Mexican Americans especially in the neighborhoods of Los Angles. At this time, the first Chicano organization was formed, namely Mexican American Movement (MAM) which was promoted through education. Later, the protests demanded on the changes of segregation of schools, housing, public facilities, and also the working condition during the post

This organization firstly concerned with the issue of reinstating Spanish and Mexican land grants and properties in New Mexico. Many New Mexicans residents, by this time, legitimatized the claim of their lands from the Spanish after the annexation of Mexican land. In 1966, along with AFM, Tijerina led to reclaim part of the Kit Carson National Forest in New Mexico with the political legacy stated in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848). The property rights stated in the treaty was used to bring this issue into the national attention. He was successful to eventually mobilize thousands of Chicanos in the names of AFM. It was proved by having been able to bring the leader of Black civil rights proponent into AFM in order to strengthen the protests.

As the protests went on and the issues brought up more varied, AFM was seen more as the separatist group. However, he and his followers did not claim themselves as Chicanos but instead as Indo-Hispanos. He seemed to never support Chicano nationalism or Chicano identity like other movements did. After all, his success in awakening th e Chicano‟s consciousness about their political position in the U.S and mobilizing many Chicanos in the movement became the pioneer acts of the further movement emergence. It was marked with the massive followers from 6,000 members up to 20,000 in all (Jacobs, 2006).

Cesar Chavez in California. This organization was initially intended to help solving the problems of farm workers‟ condition. It responded to the abolition of

Bracero programme in the U.S. This agreement between America and Mexico for temporary migration of Mexican workers did not work out well. It ended up on exploiting Mexican labors economically and at the same time discriminating them through racist practices and citizensh ip block. Starting from this time, UFW‟s campaign brought about issue of the Bracero programme to end. Then the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) was formed in 1965 in order to strike to have higher pay and guaranteed rights. This had attracted so many followers and soon the numbers grew greater.

Chaves was known as the leader of the campaign and he had other groups‟ attention to join. As the issues brought up in UFW became broader (i.e about

minority, oppressed groups, and discrimination), some other groups like religious, civil, and student groups also finally joined the strike. They participated in the

demonstration, hunger strike, march to get others‟ attention and support. It was known as civil disobedience which then caught attention from the media; and it gave them power to get their rights. UFW finally achieved several significant reforms in medical, pension, and unemployment benefits. Because of this success in leading the strike, Cesar Chavez was acknowledged as the Chicano Movement leader. “It was „Cesar Chavez [who] gave the Chicano Movement a national leader” (Jacobs, 2006, p.14). However, like Tijerina did, Chavez never claimed demonstration, hunger strike, march to get others‟ attention and support. It was known as civil disobedience which then caught attention from the media; and it gave them power to get their rights. UFW finally achieved several significant reforms in medical, pension, and unemployment benefits. Because of this success in leading the strike, Cesar Chavez was acknowledged as the Chicano Movement leader. “It was „Cesar Chavez [who] gave the Chicano Movement a national leader” (Jacobs, 2006, p.14). However, like Tijerina did, Chavez never claimed

From these two earlier and significant organizations (AFM and UFW), it then appealed the parallels of many issues associated with AFM or UFW‟s cause. Therefore, by then a lot more widespread organizations were formed which concerned with the same matter. The movement continued to emerge and became vastly happening with more specific issues to bring up. This had awakened the consciousness to what Chicano had experienced in the states such as racial discrimination through which they begun to understand how important their identities were. In the following years, the student protests scattered and became the assertion of their pride of their culture, race, and ethnicity. Some students grouped taking part in political activities and formed organizations namely UMAS (United Mexican American Student), MAYO (Mexican American Youth Organization), MASC (Mexican American Student Confederation). The movement was the show for the assertion of Chicano identity; and it was a massive success.

2. Chicano Literature in the Period of Chicano Movement

As the 1960‟s was the decades of resurgence of cultural and political activities, the literary works produced were reciprocal to the Chicano Political

activities (Neate cited in Jacobs, 1998). Accordingly, in this era, Chicano

development of Chicano literature movement. With the ethnic awareness raised during the movement, Chicano literature tried to take their position among American society to express their sense of self of what often appeared to be “the others” or “alienated” society in the U.S. The movement had also been the expansion of democratic process through several political activities emerged; and this had also been reflected in the literary works of Chicano. Besides, Chicano literature was also the vehicle to express cultural and ethnic pride. That is why, Chicano literature has its own characteristics such as contains mythic tradition (oral tradition), autobiographical memoirs (personal experiences), cultural origins and self determination, and usually uses bilingual (even just a little part of the writing such as spoken idioms of million Chicanos). One of the examples is the writing of Rudolfo Anaya which contains all of those mentioned patterns.

However, the themes of literary writings during the movement were more political than cultural. It could be noted from the literature p roduction in 1960‟s. For instance, Rudolfo “Corky” Gonzalez who wrote “Yo soy Joaquin” (1967) telling about banditry that, in short, they were as Chicanos deserved fairness in the U.S. It is clearly seen that Chicano literature was a tool to oppose the different

treatment in the society. Soon after that, in 1970‟s was the moment of cultural roots resurgence in literary works. Chicanos began to celebrate their indigenism

through literature. It was marked by the birth of “the concept of Aztlan”, reclaiming their home that was lost. The Chicano writers were writing poetry,

who wrote about Aztlan. In 1976, Rudolfo Anya published his second novel telling about Aztlan, the home of Chicanos; it could be the home meaning land and the origins of culture. Besides, Alurista was writing a poem titled Floricanto en Aztlan published in 1971. The organization which concerned with “Aztlan” was also found in 1969 named El Plan Espiritual de Aztlan. This also reaffirmed ownership of Chicano identity based on the land (Jacobs, 2006):