Abstract This paper briefly discusses the concept of magical realism in Rulfo's novel. It defines this concept in the context of the story and then points out examples of how this style was used to its maximum by Rulfo. It concludes that the haunting effects of "Pedro Peramo" make it one of the most celebrated works of Latin American literature.
From the Paper "When examining the Juan Rulfo's novel, Pedro Peramo, one must pose the question: what is meant by "magical realism"? Magical realism is a term of undetermined origin, but is accredited to Franz Roh, a German Post-Expressionist painter, who devised the term to describe a return to Realism following the abstract styles and fantastic, ethereal subjects of the Expressionists of the early twentieth century (Zamora 15). From a literary vantage point, it was first applied to Latin American literature by the Venezuelan critic, Uslar Pietri, and later adopted by Miguel Angel Asturias to describe his Nobel Prize-winning novels, and the name of the genre took off like wildfire to describe much of Latin American fiction of the mid-twentieth century (Leeper). Magical realist works are characterized by their strong narrative combined with the elements of fantasy, and contain references to the existence of the supernatural or anything that is considered contrary to our conventional view of reality (Chanady 17)."
Abstract This paper begins with a general overview of racial discrimination in American history, including racism against blacks, Jews, and Indians. The paper then looks at the contribution of Mexicans to American history and society and how they fit into society. The writer then discusses the current state of Mexican life in America, including education, culture, and general acceptance.
From the Paper "In the past, immigrants to the United States almost always started out on the bottom of the job ladder, often needing two or three generations to move into society's mainstream. However, although increased competition and globalization has pushed wages somewhat higher for second and third generation Mexican-Americans, they have not advanced into better jobs. (Althaus). This is due in large part because of inferior education. In fact, despite gains made in recent decades, Mexicans remain the most poorly educated ethnic group in America. Almost half of Mexican-American students do not finish high school and less than 10 percent earn college degrees."
Abstract "A Chronicle of a Death Foretold" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a complex study of Latin American culture. The paper examines how the author uses many unique stylings to address several problems that are intertwined with the traditional view of woman and the ideas of honor. The paper describes and analyzes the roles that honor code and tradition assume in the chain of events that culminate in Santiago Nasar's death.
From the Paper "The brothers feel compelled to exact revenge and redeem their family's honor despite their own inner reluctance to go through with the crime. The death of the man who they believed had stolen Angela's virginity must pay for his folly and thus redeem the honor of their family. They cannot back out of this obligation, lest they be seen as cowards. Prudencia, Pablo's wife, best illustrates the mentality seen here by saying "I never would have married him if he hadn"t done what a man should do? (Marquez 72). Their public announcement of their plans leaves the villagers responsible to do something to prevent them, however the code of honor that redeems a murderous act is so widely accepted that little to nothing is done."
Abstract This paper explains that United States and Colombia share a hemisphere, a legacy of European colonization, rough equivalents in terms of life expectancy and literacy, and both appear to be waging two wars at the same time; however, the comparison largely ends there. The author points out that Colombia is treading a very thin line as it seeks to balance the need to continue to pursue its aggressive economic reforms while prosecuting untenable wars against the drug traffickers and insurgents who continue to represent a major threat to the political stability of the nation. The paper stresses that, if stabilized, Colombia could become one of the leading industrialized nations of the world, based on its hard-working and highly literate population.
Table of Content
Introduction
Review and Analysis
Table 1. Comparison of Colombia and United States
Conclusion
From the Paper "Today, Colombia still strongly reflects its legacy as a colony of Spain, and is frequently referred to as the most Roman Catholic of the South American countries; the majority of the Colombian people are proud of the relative purity of their Spanish language. The country's population is heavily mestizo, a term which describes those of European and Indian descent; there are also significant minorities of European and African ancestry. The country's economy is traditionally agricultural based, especially its world-famous coffee as well as fruit production; however, industries and services are assuming increasing importance. Colombia has the most population of any of the Spanish-speaking nations in South America; more than one-third of its inhabitants live in the six biggest metropolitan areas, of which Bogot? is the largest. Despite the advantages of climate and an abundance of natural resources, Colombia's political instability has been historically linked with the inequitable distribution of wealth, and the illicit trade in drugs (primarily cocaine) continues to represent a major challenges to the stability of life in Colombian life."
Abstract This paper looks at the role of women in the Sandinista guerrilla movement of Nicaragua that would eventually topple the Somoza dictatorship. The paper illustrates how the "Daughters of Sandino" were the heart and soul of the guerrilla movement that ended Nicaraguan male-dominated rule.
From the Paper "Overall the Nicaraguan revolution was a reaction to the cruel dictatorship of the Somoza dynasty. There was a very small and very rich upper class, but the majority of the population lived in poverty. The only way out seemed to be violence: "It was totally clear that there was no alternative but armed struggle. When you attempted to clean things up a bit, to work honestly, right away you came up against the mafia, the repression, the whole established scheme of things"--Daisy Zamora (Brentlinger 44). Gender relations under conditions of guerrilla war differed from the relations of everyday life. There seemed to be significant gender equality during their respective guerrilla struggles that did not continue existing afterwards."
Abstract T. Coraghessan Boyle's novel, "The Tortilla Curtain", offers readers a close-up, graphically realistic view of the hardships that confront Mexican immigrants trying to find the American Dream, juxtaposed with the "good life" of an affluent family living behind stylish walls. This review of "The Tortilla Curtain" compares and contrasts the main characters in the novel, Delaney Mossbacker and his wife Kyra and Candido Rincon and his wife America, in order to come to a greater understanding of the social issues facing Mexican immigration. The report also incorporates the views of writers, critics, and scholars to understand the bigger picture of Chicano labor history and the deeper meaning behind Boyle's literary effort.
From the Paper "To Candido (49) that very canyon, with its ?little clearing by the stream,? its "leaves" and "rocks" all seemed ?unchanging, eternal, as dead as a photograph.? And, living there in the canyon, Candido saw it as ?a jail cell and he was a prisoner, incarcerated in his thoughts.? In fact, Boyle continues, at least prisoners had an opportunity to read something, listen to a radio, a place to sit and "take a contemplative crap" ? while for Candido, his prison was unchanging, and all he did was doze, wake up, and sleep again. There were no license plates to make, or rocks to break. Just a sun that was always "in the same place in the sky" (50)."
Abstract This paper explains that, during the 1940s, the period of the Pachucos, Mexican-Americans were considered second-class citizens, suffering similar segregation and oppression as African-Americans of this time. The author stresses that the Pachucos and Chicanos are excellent examples of both the alienation and estrangement of the Mexican-Americans. The paper relates that a major problem of gangs is the loss of parental guidance.
From the Paper "Chicanos have adopted a unique style of dress. Much like the Pachucos, this fashion style is immediately recognizable by the public. Long-sleeved flannel shirts buttoned at the neck only over a t-shirt and baggy long pants, no matter how hot it is outside begins the ensemble. A bandana, of typically significant colors dependent on the gang they associate with, around the forehead or worn as a skullcap completes the outfit. A ball cap is optional; of course if worn, it will have the logo of the gang's adopted sports team. All in an overt attempt to let everyone know without question to which gang they belong. This outfit is so important to them, that it is not uncommon to see a gang member dressed in this more appropriate for winter garb, out on the sunny beach of Southern California in the middle of July."
Abstract This paper provides background and overview information on Puerto Rico and its people today, followed by a review of Duany's book, "The Puerto Rican Nation on the Move: Identities on the Island and in the United States (2002)". A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.
From the Paper "The author reports that the mulatto category was dropped entirely after 1920, and racial categories were diminished into bare-bone white vs. colored, non-white or Negro, a process that mirrored that taking place in the census categories on the U.S. mainland. The author notes that the official disappearance of racially intermediate types consolidated the movement from "non-white" to "white categories" in Puerto Rico, and Duany (2002: 250) suggests this occurred based on the U.S. government's attempt to apply a binary race model to a fluid multiracial situation in Puerto Rico."
Abstract The research paper explores the relationship between drug cartels in Latin America and Latin American governments. The main focus is on the Colombian cartels, which are extremely powerful and a major force in the Latin American and global drug trade, and the Colombian government. Contains an annotated bibliography that is not included in the word count.
From the Paper "A strong government, political stability and security are something that many of us take for granted. In Egypt, we may complain that the government is too strong and does give the population the chance to practice any form of political protest or opposition. However, in comparison to Colombia, which suffers from a weak government, the Egyptians are much more fortunate even if they are denied their political rights. The Colombian population, due to a weak government, is deprived of its sense of security. The weakness of the Colombian government is a very critical issue and even more alarming is the reason for its weakness. Namely, this weakness originates from the presence of strong drug lords, on the one hand and armed political opposition groups, on the other. Colombia has, thus, become a country in which all these different groups, one of them consisting of criminal drug dealers and the other of violent and terrorist political militias, compete with one another for power. The consequence of this struggle for power, according to Michael F. Jimenez, a professor of Latin American history at the University of Pittsburg, is the complete absence of any form of stability or security for the Colombian people. In this country, "street children, vagrants, homosexuals, beggars and prostitutes disappear at the hands of the death squads. Drug traffickers cut down politicians and journalists and terrorize at will." Indeed, people just disappear every single day, including politicians and government officials. By all accounts, the Colombian problem is very difficult to resolve because of the enormous power that the drug lords have. The drug lords and cartels are more powerful than the government itself and, many politicians are even dependant on the political and financial support of the drug lords. At the same time, as Time journalist, Tim McGirk explains in "A Carpet of Cocaine," the drug lords fund the political opposition groups to ensure that Colombia remains a fragmented and weak state, in order to ensure their continued power. Not only that but, the drug lords have a very strong presence in the Colombian economy and invest large amounts of money in it, as Professor Jimenez points out. The situation is almost impossible to resolve. The Colombian drug lords have to be eliminated but, not through the military aid of the United States, which is the present policy, because that only enhances the anger of the population towards their government and creates greater support for both the militias and the drug lords who then considered to be fighting against a foreign military intervention. The power of the Colombian drug lords is exceptional due to the political and economic roles that they play in their country's life and, therefore, the war against them needs to take an international intervention and to be carried out through the United Nations, both because the Columbian government is too weak to confront the cartels and US intervention increases the problem."
Abstract This paper examines the two-year U.S-Mexico War within the context of Eisenhower's history book, "So Far From God: The U.S. War with Mexico, 1846-1848". The paper examines the origins of the war, how it was perceived by the common American, and the cost of the war. The paper concludes with a summary of the pros and cons of the book.
From the Paper "At the start of the war, in 1846, Mexico was a weak nation, made vulnerable by close to three hundred years of "autocratic Spanish rule" and by its own brutal war of independence. Mexico was a disorganized and corrupt country, and this created a "power vacuum" (xx) that was going to be taken advantage of by "some predator - if not the United States, then Britain," possibly France of even Russia. The stage for war was set when Santa Anna, angry that Sam Houston and other Americans were attacking Mexican army troops, marched into what is now Texas with six thousand men in January 1836. In March, 1836, Santa Anna's soldiers slaughtered all U.S. troops in The Alamo - and a few days later went further by massacring ("executing") 350 prisoners at Golidad (14)."
Tags: Porfirio, Diaz, Ulysses, S., Grant, Santa, Anna
Abstract This paper examines the data and economic trends of the past twenty years in an effort to determine whether NAFTA has been a great boon to the U.S. economy or whether it has, in fact, destroyed jobs and spun trade deficits out of control.
The Case for NAFTA
The Case Against NAFTA
Analysis
Conclusions for NAFTA's Future
From the Paper "Three pens were taken up on December 17, 1992, and three men signed their names marking a historic day in international trade relations. It was that day that President Bush of the United States of America, President Salinas of the United Mexican States, and Prime Minister Mulroney of Canada, each in their respective capitals, signed the North American Free Trade Agreement. Exactly eleven months later, with a vote of 234 to 200 the U.S. House of Representative passed the agreement. The U.S. Senate followed suit with a vote of 60 to 38, just three days later, on November 20, 1993. With President Clinton's signature on December 20, 1993, and effective January 1, 1994, the nearly 400 million people of North America became unified in one integrated marketplace under NAFTA."
Abstract This paper examines the issue of illegal immigration from different angles. It examines whether immigration laws should be eased for people from economically deprived countries. It also questions whether more resources (money and enforcement) should be used to 'plug' the holes where illegals now cross and root out illegals and return them to their native countries. Finally, the paper examines whether those undocumented illegals, who have found decent jobs and are an economic impact on the country, should be permitted to remain and opt for citizenship.
From the Paper "One has to take a moment and also consider that not only Hispanics from Mexico, Central and South America are entering illegally. Since the end of the Vietnamese War more and more South Asians- from Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar have tried to escape political and economic problems in their native lands. While many have been allowed to enter legally, there are untold thousands who were smuggled in, often from Canada, especially Vancouver and British Columbia which has a large Asian population."
Abstract The Cali Cartel is a drug cartel based in the southern part of Colombia, around the city of Santiago de Cali. This paper examines the history, structure and activities of the cartel and how law enforcement agencies are trying to curtail its operations.
Paper Outline:
History of Cali and the Cartel
Participants of the Cartel
Activities of the Cartel
The Structure of the Cartel
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "The Colombian population, due to a weak government, is deprived of its sense of security. The weakness of the Colombian government is a very critical issue and even more alarming is the reason for its weakness. Namely, this weakness originates from the presence of strong drug lords, on the one hand and armed political opposition groups, on the other. Colombia has, thus, become a country in which all these different groups, one of them consisting of criminal drug dealers and the other of violent and terrorist political militias, compete with one another for power."
Abstract Still present in modern day, discontent amongst lower class Chileans has been existent since the Spanish Conquest and the first imbalances of power. It has grown, evolved and has seemed to become the catalyst of change in Chilean society and politics. The paper shows that Chile's history of politics has not been a clear one; bouncing around from left to right, from one form of political dictatorship to another, it has overcome countless incapable leaders and corrupt governments but has also suffered innumerable losses. The paper shows that the military coup that toppled the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende on September 11, 1973 and initiated a regime of terror under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet was the result of numerous economic and political factors that united to cause the bloodiest day in Chile's modern history.
From the Paper "As Allende was working for the people and against capitalism, the States was working against him. As the Cold War progressed throughout the world, the United States was on an anti-communist mission to prevent any social movement that would cause disruption in their capitalistic plans and feared any country that had a large number of these supporters. As a result of the increase in real income for the mass of Chilean workers, monetary expansion stimulated a stagnant economy, which caused higher inflation . When copper prices began to fall, the United States made the move to kick Allende when he was down."
Abstract Argentina is a country that has experienced extreme periods of wealth and poverty. Its history is full of erratic changes in political, social and economic conditions. Most recently, following a seemingly prosperous period, Argentina plunged into the depths of an economic crisis, the worst in its history. This paper shows that there are numerous circulating theories explaining why such a disaster occurred. Some blame the IMF's initial supportive stance, which then changed to a stringent handling of the country. The paper shows, however, that most convincing is the perspective that Argentina mismanaged the neoliberal reforms it implemented at the end of the last century. This theory purports that such political, social and economic disasters were inevitable considering the ineptness of the ruling administrations.
From the Paper "The origin of such extreme measures was due to then president Menem's desperate attempt to exhibit administrative success and gain popular approval before the country's midterm elections (Starr, 2003). In essence, he was sacrificing the long-term welfare of Argentina for short term personal advances. This is characteristic of recent Argentine politics, wherein restricted vision of personal desires creates devastating repercussions on a national level. It didn't end there, however. With the privatization of government enterprises, an intense flow of foreign funds entered the country, thereby spawning additional private desires. "
Tags: menem, inflation, investment, foreign, capital
