Movements in Chicano Poetry: Against Myths, against Margins (Cambridge Studies in American Literature and Culture, Series Number 88)

Interpreting specific poems by some of the best known Chicano writers, this book studies the central aesthetic and thematic concerns recent Chicano poetry addresses. Drawing on current theories of postmodernity and postcoloniality, it places a 'minority' literature within the central concerns of contemporary literary and cultural studies. The book addresses the most important issues related to Chicano identity, especially focusing on the contribution women writers and thinkers have made in articulating this identity. The study will thus be of interest to scholars specialising in feminist, cultural as well as Chicano/a studies. 1. Introduction: Movements In A Minority Literature. Through The Gaps, Across A Bridge. Grounding. Postcoloniality. Postmodernity. Notes On Terms And Methods -- 2. Four Or Five Worlds: Chicano/a Literary Criticism As Postcolonial Discourse. At The Interstices. Bridging Other Worlds. Blocs, Parties, And La Raza Cosmica. Identidad, Movimiento, Resistencia. Writing Chicana/o -- 3. From The Homeland To The Borderlands, The Reformation Of Aztlan. A Land Divided. An Other Country: Rodolfo Gonzales. Retribalization: Jimmy Santiago Baca. Alien Nation: Lorna Dee Cervantes And Ana Castillo. Borderlands: Gloria Anzaldua -- 4. Locality, Locotes, And The Politics Of Displacement. Buscando Justice. The Migrant: Abelardo, Sanchez, Villanueva, Corpi, Baca, Soto. The Pinto: Sanchez, Lucero, Baca, Salinas. The Pachuco: Montoya And Vigil. Dispossessions: Romero And Mora -- 5. Migratory Readings: Chicana/o Literary Criticism And The Postmodern. The Red And The Black. Traveling Jones. Mappings. Movement. Migration -- 6. Mythic Memory And Cultural Construction. Finding The Center. Closing The Circle: Alurista. Claiming The Present: Ana Castillo. Other Myths: Corpi, Cisneros, Cervantes. Other Memories: Baca And Anzaldua -- 7. Mouthing Off: Polyglossia And Radical Mestizaje. Pastiche: Francisco Alarcon. Minority Discourse: Deleuze And Guattari. La Lengua Mestiza: Alurista And Tafolla. Vernacularization: Tafolla And Baca. Interstitial/interlingual: Anzaldua, Vigil, Rodriguez -- 8. Between Worlds. Coyotes At The Border. Ephebes, Anxiety, And Modernism: Limon And Paredes. The Domestic Heroic: Victor Martinez. Reclaiming The Word: Castillo And Soto. Clawing The Precipice. Rafael Pérez-torres. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 301-320) And Index.

Interpreting specific poems by some of the best known Chicano writers, this book studies the central aesthetic and thematic concerns recent Chicano poetry addresses. Drawing on current theories of postmodernity and postcoloniality, it places a "minority" literature within the central concerns of contemporary literary and cultural studies. The book addresses the most important issues related to Chicano identity, especially focusing on the contribution women writers and thinkers have made in articulating this identity.

BECAUSE "-" IN "MEXICAN-AMERICAN" suggests both a (linguistic) bridge and a (mathematical) absence, it serves as an apt marker for the condition of Chicano literary criticism.