Book Description

Heirs to a cultural literacy rich in Mexican and American influences, modern Chicano writers combine an urgent sense of social protest with a vibrant literary style. Containing contributions from both recognized scholars such as Américo Paredes, Luis Leal, and Felipe Ortego and younger critics, including Yvonne Yabro-Bejarano, Ralph Grajeda and Marta Sánchez, Modern Chicano writers affirms the dynamic blending of continuity and change that characterizes the modern Chicano writer. Beginning with a series of five "framing" articles, the editors establish the literary history, folk culture, critical theory and sociolinguistics surrounding the Chicano people. Other critiques examine the narrative techniques of Tomás Rivera and his opposing themes of resignation and rebellion, the poet Alurista and his use of traditional mythology to convey contemporary social concerns, and the relationof popular art to the Chicano struggle for cultural identity in El Teatro Campesino. This volume presents a unique collection of critical commentaries that explore the development and future direction of modern Chicano literature.