Pocho by Jose Antonio Villarreal :: Mexican Culture Catholicism Book Review

Pocho by Jose Antonio VillarrealMany people would say that to be born a Mexican is to be born a Catholic. This perpetuating stump has forced many Mexican families to raise their children as if no early(a) religious beliefs options correct existed. In the book Pocho by Jose Antonio Villarreal a young son by the name of Richard Rubio finds himself being raised Catholic by a traditional Mexican family. Richard, struggling to find his place in the world, has his parents phantasmal beliefs pressed down on him forcing him to conform to a religion he does not agree with. Throughout the course of the novel the Catholic spectral beliefs imposed on Richard affected his personality in many ways. By the end of the book it is clear that not allowing others to find their own spiritual calling can have drastic make on their power to recognize who they are. Many of the spiritual problems Richard faces in book are general to a number of Mexican children. Through the use of my personal experie nces in being in a situation similar to that of Richards, I have in mind to support my claim that forced beliefs may have damaging effects on a person. As soon as the main section Richard is introduced into the story line we learn his beliefs about god before we even learn his name. Perhaps Villarreal, even this early, is tiring to show readers that in the Mexican American culture religion, specifically Catholicism, plays an extremely large role. Richard carries his Virgin bloody shame fork over home which he received as a observe for being the first in his age group to learn the catechism defend it in his handkerchief. The Catholic Church has often rewarded people for their attainments when pertaining to studying their religion in hope that they will encourage them to remain catholic. When I attended catechism I was always rewarded for having perfect attendance. This idea that you will be rewarded for an achievement or attendance may be a way for the perform service to make sure you are there every Sunday and behaving well. Richard claims that the picture had little value to him but it was a symbol of recognition. Surely he would go home and present it to his mother knowing that it being from the church would mean a lot to her. Many times I would do the same thing with my tokens of recognition, posting them proudly on the refrigerator, not because it was cost anything, but because of the praise I would received for it.