Beginning at the End: Beginning at the End: Another (Incredibly Another (Incredibly Detailed) Look at Detailed) Look at

…And the Earth Did Not …And the Earth Did Not Devour HimDevour Him

FeracoFeraco

SFHPSFHP

3 June 20093 June 2009

Today’s BusinessToday’s Business My last academic lectureMy last academic lecture

Last lecture: Finals Day!Last lecture: Finals Day! I’m attempting to inform you about:I’m attempting to inform you about:

Who Rivera wasWho Rivera was Why he wrote what he wroteWhy he wrote what he wrote Why each story is importantWhy each story is important

Study Session Online: 6:15-8:00pmStudy Session Online: 6:15-8:00pm We’re going to be sprinting today, We’re going to be sprinting today,

unlike my usually relaxed paceunlike my usually relaxed pace Watching attentively and keeping up Watching attentively and keeping up

will be will be extremelyextremely helpful – and much helpful – and much appreciated by the lecturer!appreciated by the lecturer!

What Should I Know?What Should I Know? Don’t miss out on Rivera’s background – Don’t miss out on Rivera’s background –

know what the Bracero Program was and why know what the Bracero Program was and why it’s importantit’s important

Know who Rivera is writing about and what Know who Rivera is writing about and what his ultimate goals werehis ultimate goals were

El MovimientoEl Movimiento and and El Teatro CampesinoEl Teatro Campesino are are both important influencesboth important influences

Know what Know what fragmentationfragmentation is, and understand is, and understand how Evangelina Vigil-Pinon – our translator – how Evangelina Vigil-Pinon – our translator – helps bring out the best in Riverahelps bring out the best in Rivera

Finally, you should familiarize yourself with Finally, you should familiarize yourself with thematic concerns, “philosophical baseline” thematic concerns, “philosophical baseline” business…and the stories themselves, as business…and the stories themselves, as usualusual

Who Are We Reading Who Are We Reading About?About?

The term “Chicano” – as in “Chicano The term “Chicano” – as in “Chicano literature” – refers to Americans of Mexican literature” – refers to Americans of Mexican descentdescent

Rivera was born in Crystal City, TX; his Rivera was born in Crystal City, TX; his parents were migrant workersparents were migrant workers

““Many Mexicans and Chicanos provide labor Many Mexicans and Chicanos provide labor for farmers throughout the United States, for farmers throughout the United States, particularly in the West and Midwest. The particularly in the West and Midwest. The work is seasonal, exhausting, and pays very work is seasonal, exhausting, and pays very low wages…Many migrant workers still toil low wages…Many migrant workers still toil under oppressive conditions similar to those under oppressive conditions similar to those experienced by the [characters] in Rivera's experienced by the [characters] in Rivera's novel.”novel.”

-paraphrased from Annenberg-paraphrased from Annenberg

WhatWhat Are We Reading Are We Reading About?About?

……And the Earth Did Not And the Earth Did Not Devour HimDevour Him is a response to is a response to certain realities of Chicano certain realities of Chicano life – and the result of them life – and the result of them as wellas well

Rivera focuses particularly Rivera focuses particularly closely on the lives of closely on the lives of Chicanos serving as Chicanos serving as migrant agricultural migrant agricultural workers during World War workers during World War II and up through the 1960sII and up through the 1960s

Bracero ProgramBracero Program To understand To understand whywhy he does this, you have he does this, you have

to understand his backgroundto understand his background The Bracero program took place in 1942 – The Bracero program took place in 1942 –

shortly before the action in Rivera’s novel shortly before the action in Rivera’s novel begins, and long before the current battles begins, and long before the current battles over immigration erupted on the national over immigration erupted on the national scalescale

The U.S. and Mexican governments The U.S. and Mexican governments instituted a set of labor laws intended to instituted a set of labor laws intended to provide fair treatment for Mexican provide fair treatment for Mexican nationals recruited to work in the U.S.nationals recruited to work in the U.S. These laborers were, in part, taking the place These laborers were, in part, taking the place

of U.S. workers lost to World Wars I and II of U.S. workers lost to World Wars I and II The program didn’t protect the workers fully, The program didn’t protect the workers fully,

and they were often exploited.and they were often exploited. - paraphrased from - paraphrased from

AnnenbergAnnenberg

Some BackgroundSome Background Rivera’s parents immigrated to Texas Rivera’s parents immigrated to Texas

around this timearound this time Traveled between Texas and the Midwest, Traveled between Texas and the Midwest,

always looking for workalways looking for work Prioritized education despite the constant Prioritized education despite the constant

instabilityinstability Rivera ended up serving as Chancellor of Rivera ended up serving as Chancellor of

UC RiversideUC Riverside The text is undeniably based on people The text is undeniably based on people

Rivera met, stories he heard, and his own Rivera met, stories he heard, and his own experiencesexperiences

I saw a lot of suffering and much isolation I saw a lot of suffering and much isolation of the people. Yet they lived through the of the people. Yet they lived through the whole thing, perhaps because they had no whole thing, perhaps because they had no choice. I saw a lot of heroic people and I choice. I saw a lot of heroic people and I wanted to capture their feelings.wanted to capture their feelings.

The Beginning of a The Beginning of a TraditionTradition It was one of only a few novels in print about It was one of only a few novels in print about

Chicanos in this country at the time (late Chicanos in this country at the time (late ‘60s/early ’70s)‘60s/early ’70s)

His work was published during a time of His work was published during a time of unofficially-enforced silence (think the boy and the unofficially-enforced silence (think the boy and the barbershop)barbershop)

Rivera wasn’t even aware of a tradition of Chicano Rivera wasn’t even aware of a tradition of Chicano extended fictional writing, so he had to make his extended fictional writing, so he had to make his ownown

As Rivera wrote As Rivera wrote …And the Earth Did Not Devour …And the Earth Did Not Devour HimHim (1967–1968), other Chicano writers and (1967–1968), other Chicano writers and artists were finding expression for their ideas and artists were finding expression for their ideas and opinions opinions

Production of art and literature exploded into a Production of art and literature exploded into a full-fledged movement (which, one could argue, full-fledged movement (which, one could argue, means that Rivera’s book accomplished its task)means that Rivera’s book accomplished its task)

He’s responsible for breaking new ground, helping He’s responsible for breaking new ground, helping to kick-start a movement that would revolutionize to kick-start a movement that would revolutionize many things (including our literature!)many things (including our literature!)

He does this most obviously with his choices of subjects He does this most obviously with his choices of subjects and styleand style

WordplayWordplay One of the aspects of Rivera’s work that One of the aspects of Rivera’s work that

people struggle with at first is the people struggle with at first is the narrative style, which – as I mentioned narrative style, which – as I mentioned earlier – is a way for him to make a earlier – is a way for him to make a distinctive mark on the literary distinctive mark on the literary landscapelandscape The narrative isn’t expository (based on The narrative isn’t expository (based on

detailed linear and realistic explanations) detailed linear and realistic explanations) It’s based more on sensory impressions and It’s based more on sensory impressions and

subjective descriptionssubjective descriptions Within this narrative framework, Within this narrative framework,

conventions that we’ve grown accustomed conventions that we’ve grown accustomed to – linear chronological development of a to – linear chronological development of a plot, for example – fall awayplot, for example – fall away

This means you get snapshots of dialogue This means you get snapshots of dialogue and thoughts / perceptions rather than a and thoughts / perceptions rather than a traditional “story”traditional “story”

SnapshotsSnapshots This narrative style, similar to stream-This narrative style, similar to stream-

of-consciousness writing, is called of-consciousness writing, is called fragmentationfragmentation..

Everything’s fragmented – time, voice, Everything’s fragmented – time, voice, perspectiveperspective It’s a good thing he has Evangelina Vigil-It’s a good thing he has Evangelina Vigil-

Pinon translating – she’s far better at Pinon translating – she’s far better at capturing female voices, and therefore capturing female voices, and therefore helps present a truly universal picture of helps present a truly universal picture of the Chicanosthe Chicanos

However, this isn’t to say that Rivera However, this isn’t to say that Rivera abandons plot and convention entirely; abandons plot and convention entirely; every story with a title has a definite plot every story with a title has a definite plot and narrative style (with the exception of and narrative style (with the exception of “When We Arrive” on the plot count)“When We Arrive” on the plot count)

Why does he fragment everything?Why does he fragment everything?

KanellosKanellos “ “Tomás Rivera had been writing before the Tomás Rivera had been writing before the

official Chicano movement got underway official Chicano movement got underway (which historians and scholars place (which historians and scholars place around 1965), when Cesar Chavez around 1965), when Cesar Chavez organized farm workers in California, and organized farm workers in California, and tried to unionize them. Along with that tried to unionize them. Along with that unionizing came the birth of the unionizing came the birth of the El Teatro El Teatro Campesino Campesino (the Farm Workers’ Theatre), (the Farm Workers’ Theatre), with Luis Valdez, who very much developed with Luis Valdez, who very much developed a farm worker theater and took it around a farm worker theater and took it around the country and popularized this new kind the country and popularized this new kind of literature that used the language of the of literature that used the language of the people. It also had a political message people. It also had a political message along with the civil rights movement and along with the civil rights movement and protests against Vietnam.”protests against Vietnam.”

Studying PoliticsStudying Politics Rivera wrote about the people – Rivera wrote about the people – la gentela gente The book is clearly influenced by the oral The book is clearly influenced by the oral

tradition – the practice of passing along tradition – the practice of passing along knowledge and entertainment through direct knowledge and entertainment through direct human interaction, face to face that human interaction, face to face that El Teatro El Teatro CampesinoCampesino used used

Poetry and theatre, where staging is immediate and Poetry and theatre, where staging is immediate and dialogue contains layer after layer of meaningdialogue contains layer after layer of meaning

This concentration on multiple voices helps to connect This concentration on multiple voices helps to connect the novel to those oral traditions – the sounds of the novel to those oral traditions – the sounds of people talking to people, with different people hearing people talking to people, with different people hearing different stories in different places every daydifferent stories in different places every day

It also emphasizes that the book is about a community It also emphasizes that the book is about a community (and communal experience) rather than a traditional (and communal experience) rather than a traditional protagonist / antagonist pairingprotagonist / antagonist pairing

The novel was written during the organization The novel was written during the organization of the United Farm Movement in California and of the United Farm Movement in California and the Chicano Civil Rights Movementthe Chicano Civil Rights Movement

Allegorical reference to the farm workers’ movement, Allegorical reference to the farm workers’ movement, coming out of the fields and shadows as invisible coming out of the fields and shadows as invisible labor, demanding their place in the sunlabor, demanding their place in the sun

Understanding InfluenceUnderstanding Influence Not only was Rivera influenced by El Teatro Not only was Rivera influenced by El Teatro

Campesino, but by the Chicano renaissance – Campesino, but by the Chicano renaissance – El El MovimientoMovimiento

It questioned accepted truths and focused on civil rights, It questioned accepted truths and focused on civil rights, labor struggles, and the Vietnam Warlabor struggles, and the Vietnam War

All of these things – with the possible exception of the All of these things – with the possible exception of the Vietnam War, which is something of a sidebar here – are Vietnam War, which is something of a sidebar here – are central to Rivera’s textcentral to Rivera’s text

One of the accepted truths Rivera chooses to One of the accepted truths Rivera chooses to question – or at least examine – is the role of question – or at least examine – is the role of religion in the migrant experiencereligion in the migrant experience

Rivera posits that heritage and unity can free you Rivera posits that heritage and unity can free you – but will faith simply convince you to accept your – but will faith simply convince you to accept your bondage?bondage?

This is one of the controversial aspects of the This is one of the controversial aspects of the novel, as the characters experience a great deal of novel, as the characters experience a great deal of religious turmoilreligious turmoil

This is also one of the reasons that the This is also one of the reasons that the “innocence” theme is so important – Rivera shows “innocence” theme is so important – Rivera shows the crumbling of faith the crumbling of faith in the young in the young as a response as a response to a cruel and unjust worldto a cruel and unjust world

Inspecting Our BondsInspecting Our Bonds While faith is not placed in the best light over the While faith is not placed in the best light over the

course of the book, Rivera seems less interested course of the book, Rivera seems less interested in criticizing faith than in studying the in criticizing faith than in studying the ramifications of its loss – and what causes it to ramifications of its loss – and what causes it to disappeardisappear

What he does seem to criticize – in keeping with What he does seem to criticize – in keeping with El Movemiento’sEl Movemiento’s philosophies – is philosophies – is blindblind acceptance or acceptance or blindblind faith faith

After all, the movement is predicated on questioning the After all, the movement is predicated on questioning the things (and injustices) that we have taken for granted, things (and injustices) that we have taken for granted, even unconsciouslyeven unconsciously

The faith that’s on display here isn’t faith at all – it’s fear The faith that’s on display here isn’t faith at all – it’s fear by a different name, and the only reason its branded as by a different name, and the only reason its branded as such is – yep – such is – yep – blind acceptanceblind acceptance

If you understand the larger themes Rivera is If you understand the larger themes Rivera is grappling with – as well as his larger ideological grappling with – as well as his larger ideological concerns – it’s easier to understand why religion concerns – it’s easier to understand why religion plays the role it does early in this novelplays the role it does early in this novel

Does the search for the truth set you free?Does the search for the truth set you free? In how many ways has society trapped us – and what In how many ways has society trapped us – and what cancan

set us free?set us free?

Deep ConcernsDeep Concerns The novel is deeply concerned with The novel is deeply concerned with

exploitation, injustice, and oppression – exploitation, injustice, and oppression – whether it be economic, social, or spiritual whether it be economic, social, or spiritual in nature – because they each give us easy in nature – because they each give us easy access to the larger questions about what access to the larger questions about what it means to be human, and what the it means to be human, and what the Chicanos have lost by accepting a system Chicanos have lost by accepting a system that forces them to live inferior livesthat forces them to live inferior lives

In many ways, the collection of stories in In many ways, the collection of stories in this book are about gaining, re-gaining, or this book are about gaining, re-gaining, or losing something – whether it’s identity, losing something – whether it’s identity, faith, or hopefaith, or hope Remember, the child must go from being lost Remember, the child must go from being lost

to being found to being found The community must connect with itselfThe community must connect with itself

An Emerging AwarenessAn Emerging Awareness Specifically, the boy represents a Specifically, the boy represents a

developingdeveloping Chicano/migrant Chicano/migrant community community One that lacks self-awareness and One that lacks self-awareness and

struggles to understand itself, therefore struggles to understand itself, therefore remaining unaware of its powerremaining unaware of its power

This is a community in search of its This is a community in search of its identity; it needs an idea of what that isidentity; it needs an idea of what that is

If the boy can begin to remember what he If the boy can begin to remember what he has forgotten, perhaps the community can has forgotten, perhaps the community can come together in solidaritycome together in solidarity

Protect one another in a world that abuses Protect one another in a world that abuses themthem

Return to living like human beings instead Return to living like human beings instead of like helpless beasts of burdenof like helpless beasts of burden

Community-Building Community-Building ExercisesExercises What’s fascinating about this What’s fascinating about this

community is the real way in which community is the real way in which solidarity can help protect people – solidarity can help protect people – can help them survive – in a world can help them survive – in a world that refuses to care for or help themthat refuses to care for or help them Again, compare this to Again, compare this to The AwakeningThe Awakening

This community is forming because This community is forming because the people the people needneed it to form it to form

They’re in a position where they’ve They’re in a position where they’ve already lost just about everything, already lost just about everything, and every day is simply a struggle to and every day is simply a struggle to avoid losing the restavoid losing the rest

Losing BattleLosing Battle So much is lost over the course of …So much is lost over the course of …And And

the Earth Did Not Devour Himthe Earth Did Not Devour Him – lives, – lives, innocence, faith – that the book can feel innocence, faith – that the book can feel almost oppressive at timesalmost oppressive at times

That’s somewhat the point – there isn’t That’s somewhat the point – there isn’t really an escape for the migrant workers really an escape for the migrant workers and families, at least not one provided by and families, at least not one provided by the outside worldthe outside world

If they want to change their lives, change If they want to change their lives, change their fates, they need to come together their fates, they need to come together and agitate for changeand agitate for change

Only through the help of others can we Only through the help of others can we help to save ourselves – and only through help to save ourselves – and only through our connections to others, to the world, our connections to others, to the world, can we become truly self-awarecan we become truly self-aware

Another Reason for the Another Reason for the StructureStructure

In short, the book is about life, and In short, the book is about life, and what it means to be alivewhat it means to be alive Failure and sadnessFailure and sadness Beauty and happinessBeauty and happiness Hatred and loveHatred and love Isolation and unityIsolation and unity

This is why the book is structured as This is why the book is structured as it isit is Long story, short story – long, short, Long story, short story – long, short,

long, short…long, short… How does a heartbeat sound?How does a heartbeat sound? The book is literally pulsing – pulsing in The book is literally pulsing – pulsing in

time with the lives it’s describingtime with the lives it’s describing

““The Lost Year” in a The Lost Year” in a NutshellNutshell Now that we understand Rivera’s Now that we understand Rivera’s

intentions, the story doesn’t seem so intentions, the story doesn’t seem so confusingconfusing Boy = Chicano migrant communityBoy = Chicano migrant community Year = Sense of shared experiences and Year = Sense of shared experiences and

heritageheritage Call/Name = Community searching for its Call/Name = Community searching for its

identity and purpose; first steps towards identity and purpose; first steps towards self-awarenessself-awareness

Heritage and unity will free usHeritage and unity will free us We will no longer be “alone…together”We will no longer be “alone…together” We can reclaim our human nature by We can reclaim our human nature by

making society recognize us as peoplemaking society recognize us as people

I.I. Can human nature be changed in Can human nature be changed in

such a way that man will forget his such a way that man will forget his longing for freedom, for dignity, longing for freedom, for dignity, for integrity, for love – that is to for integrity, for love – that is to say, can man forget that he is say, can man forget that he is

human? Or does human nature human? Or does human nature have [a component] which will have [a component] which will

react to the violation of these basic react to the violation of these basic human needs by attempting to human needs by attempting to

change an inhuman society into a change an inhuman society into a human one?human one?

II.II. ……Man has an intense [need] for Man has an intense [need] for love, for justice, for truth, [and] for love, for justice, for truth, [and] for

solidarity…solidarity…

These Words Were These Words Were WrittenWritten

……in Erich Fromm’s afterword to in Erich Fromm’s afterword to George Orwell’s George Orwell’s 19841984

Fromm wrote this in 1961 Fromm wrote this in 1961 Amazing, no?Amazing, no?

Breaking Down the Breaking Down the QuestionQuestion

Can we be forced to forget our Can we be forced to forget our longing for freedom?longing for freedom?

Sure – see “The Matrix,” read Sure – see “The Matrix,” read 19841984, or take a look at some of , or take a look at some of Rivera’s charactersRivera’s characters

Look for the tipping pointLook for the tipping point

Breaking Down the Breaking Down the QuestionQuestion

Can we forget our longing for Can we forget our longing for dignity?dignity?

We must differentiate between the We must differentiate between the (willing) sacrifice of dignity and (willing) sacrifice of dignity and the absence of desire for itthe absence of desire for it

Plenty of people trade their dignity Plenty of people trade their dignity for success; is this the same as for success; is this the same as forgetting to want that self-forgetting to want that self-respect?respect?

Have the people in “When We Have the people in “When We Arrive” lost their dignity?Arrive” lost their dignity?

Breaking Down the Breaking Down the QuestionQuestion

Can we forget our sense of Can we forget our sense of integrity?integrity?

In other words, can external forces In other words, can external forces rob one of one’s moral compass?rob one of one’s moral compass?

““Hand in His Pocket”Hand in His Pocket” ““The Portrait”The Portrait” What can cause integrity to What can cause integrity to

collapse?collapse?

Breaking Down the Breaking Down the QuestionQuestion

Can we forget that we need love?Can we forget that we need love? How did you feel about Edna in How did you feel about Edna in

“The Awakening”…not after class “The Awakening”…not after class discussions, but when you first discussions, but when you first finished the story?finished the story?

Edna searched for love, Edna searched for love, independence, and identityindependence, and identity

Rivera’s characters do as wellRivera’s characters do as well

Love?Love?

““The Night the Lights Went Out” The Night the Lights Went Out” – romantic love– romantic love

Any number of stories featuring Any number of stories featuring familial love (did Edna enjoy familial love (did Edna enjoy such a sensation?)such a sensation?)

Love in faith – strangely absent, Love in faith – strangely absent, replaced by fearreplaced by fear Indicative of the uncertainty that Indicative of the uncertainty that

rules the Chicanos’ livesrules the Chicanos’ lives

Independence?Independence?

Independence from orthodoxyIndependence from orthodoxy Independence with respect to Independence with respect to

controlcontrol Throw a dart at a list of stories – Throw a dart at a list of stories –

you’ll probably hit one where this you’ll probably hit one where this is a concernis a concern

IdentityIdentity

Personal identity as one Personal identity as one experiences dramatic change (“A experiences dramatic change (“A Prayer,” “Hand in His Pocket,” Prayer,” “Hand in His Pocket,” “First Communion”)“First Communion”)

Communal identity with respect Communal identity with respect to a common heritage – history, to a common heritage – history, traditions, desires, obstacles, etc.traditions, desires, obstacles, etc.

Man Has An Intense Man Has An Intense Need:Need:

For loveFor love The Night the The Night the

Lights Went OutLights Went Out It’s That It HurtsIt’s That It Hurts The Night Before The Night Before

ChristmasChristmas For justiceFor justice

““There were There were sixteen dead…”sixteen dead…”

The Children The Children Couldn’t WaitCouldn’t Wait

For truthFor truth Vignette #1Vignette #1 A Silvery NightA Silvery Night ……And the Earth Did And the Earth Did

Not Devour HimNot Devour Him For solidarityFor solidarity

The Lost YearThe Lost Year Under the HouseUnder the House Any story where a Any story where a

person is weakened person is weakened by their isolationby their isolation

There’s Something Within There’s Something Within UsUs

One of the central questions in One of the central questions in 19841984 – can we forget what makes us – can we forget what makes us human? – is given a different spin human? – is given a different spin herehere

Instead of asking if we can forget, Instead of asking if we can forget, Rivera asks how we can Rivera asks how we can remember remember what makes us humanwhat makes us human

After all, the migrants are willing to After all, the migrants are willing to continue living their lives – lives of continue living their lives – lives of constant degradation and oppressionconstant degradation and oppression

If they can remember, they can If they can remember, they can return to human existencereturn to human existence

There’s Something Within There’s Something Within UsUs

Fromm – or Orwell – wants to know Fromm – or Orwell – wants to know if we’ll stand up for ourselvesif we’ll stand up for ourselves

Rivera demands that we do, argues Rivera demands that we do, argues that we must – and gives us two that we must – and gives us two figures who follow throughfigures who follow through

The man in “When We Arrive” The man in “When We Arrive” couldn’t be any more different couldn’t be any more different from the boy in “Under the House” from the boy in “Under the House” if he tried…but they’re sides of the if he tried…but they’re sides of the same coin, unique but unified, same coin, unique but unified, different but inseparabledifferent but inseparable

I.I. I would like to see all of the I would like to see all of the people together. And then, if I had people together. And then, if I had

great big arms, I could embrace great big arms, I could embrace them all.them all.

II.II. He had made a discovery. To He had made a discovery. To discover and rediscover and piece discover and rediscover and piece things together. This to this, that things together. This to this, that to that, all to all. That was it. That to that, all to all. That was it. That was everything. He was thrilled.was everything. He was thrilled.

Enlightenment.Enlightenment.

EnlightenmentEnlightenment

Knowledge and understanding can Knowledge and understanding can unlock a world of infinite possibilities; if unlock a world of infinite possibilities; if our freedoms, security, dreams, and our freedoms, security, dreams, and identities are locked away, identities are locked away, enlightenment provides us with a set of enlightenment provides us with a set of keys.keys.

The star diagram for each migrant looks The star diagram for each migrant looks pretty stretched…pretty stretched…

Rivera’s trying to help people realize Rivera’s trying to help people realize that there’s nothing intrinsically wrong that there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with them, and that they deserve better with them, and that they deserve better lives than the ones they’re leadinglives than the ones they’re leading

At the End of the Day…At the End of the Day…

The last scene of the book is a The last scene of the book is a significant moment of self-significant moment of self-recognitionrecognition

The boy is no longer lostThe boy is no longer lost The community hasn’t come together The community hasn’t come together

yet – but the process has startedyet – but the process has started After all of the pain, longing, and After all of the pain, longing, and

frustration of the earlier stories, frustration of the earlier stories, the novel ends on a beautiful, the novel ends on a beautiful, transcendent moment of hopetranscendent moment of hope

And Beyond the End…And Beyond the End… I love that moment – the moment where I love that moment – the moment where

you realize that there’s a purpose to you realize that there’s a purpose to remembering the migrants’ suffering – remembering the migrants’ suffering – and a hundred others like itand a hundred others like it

Rivera has an incredible gift for Rivera has an incredible gift for emotional writingemotional writing He makes you genuinely sad, or genuinely He makes you genuinely sad, or genuinely

upset, over the affairs of nameless people upset, over the affairs of nameless people He also has an incredible gift for He also has an incredible gift for

subtlety – for writing words that contain subtlety – for writing words that contain multitudes of meaningsmultitudes of meanings

Finally, his thematic concerns are real Finally, his thematic concerns are real and important, and resonate long after and important, and resonate long after the initial publication datethe initial publication date

So, to SummarizeSo, to Summarize First Communion:First Communion:

Fear and confusion intermingled with faithFear and confusion intermingled with faith Removal from human existence – the body as a Removal from human existence – the body as a

source of evilsource of evil The loss of innocenceThe loss of innocence Accidents and consequencesAccidents and consequences Hints of unityHints of unity

Vignette #8Vignette #8 Sacrifice at the heart of loveSacrifice at the heart of love The need to belongThe need to belong Do you get what you give?Do you get what you give? Living life intensely – burning out bright – because Living life intensely – burning out bright – because

misfortune always lies around the cornermisfortune always lies around the corner ““Everything ends badly; otherwise, it wouldn’t Everything ends badly; otherwise, it wouldn’t

end.”end.”

So, to SummarizeSo, to Summarize The Little Burnt VictimsThe Little Burnt Victims

Unable to handle responsibility while Unable to handle responsibility while youngyoung

The world is cruel and arbitraryThe world is cruel and arbitrary Parents out of homeParents out of home Hopes crushed once againHopes crushed once again The next generation can’t live like this The next generation can’t live like this

oneone Vignette #9Vignette #9

Moment of beautyMoment of beauty Happiness within ourselvesHappiness within ourselves Unity and healthUnity and health Contrast of birth and deathContrast of birth and death Can anything last?Can anything last?

So, to SummarizeSo, to Summarize The Night the Lights Went OutThe Night the Lights Went Out

Hopes crushed – nothing left to live forHopes crushed – nothing left to live for Live hard and burn out brightLive hard and burn out bright Wants stability in an uncertain worldWants stability in an uncertain world Not ready to transition into adulthoodNot ready to transition into adulthood Wants what V9 has; meets same fate as Wants what V9 has; meets same fate as

LBVLBV Vignette #10Vignette #10

The universe is cruel and arbitraryThe universe is cruel and arbitrary Trapped – literally – by their Trapped – literally – by their

circumstancescircumstances Taking whatever opportunities they canTaking whatever opportunities they can Injustice and hateInjustice and hate

So, to SummarizeSo, to Summarize The Night Before ChristmasThe Night Before Christmas

Outside world crushing in (agoraphobia)Outside world crushing in (agoraphobia) Fear and the unknownFear and the unknown Defeated/limited by expectationsDefeated/limited by expectations Risking everything for loveRisking everything for love Everyone’s been displacedEveryone’s been displaced

Vignette #11Vignette #11 We deserve better than what we’re gettingWe deserve better than what we’re getting Disconnect between church and the Disconnect between church and the

peoplepeople Leaving a mark – we were here, and we Leaving a mark – we were here, and we

mattermatter

So, to SummarizeSo, to Summarize The PortraitThe Portrait

More abuse from mercenary forcesMore abuse from mercenary forces Hope is weaknessHope is weakness Taking back controlTaking back control Settling for something less than you deserveSettling for something less than you deserve Believe in what you wantBelieve in what you want

When We ArriveWhen We Arrive Constant displacement – never arrives at a plot!Constant displacement – never arrives at a plot! We deserve betterWe deserve better Surrendering to/enduring the circumstances vs. Surrendering to/enduring the circumstances vs.

rebelling against exploitationrebelling against exploitation Hope vs. cynicismHope vs. cynicism Widest range of emotionWidest range of emotion Seeds of love in the darknessSeeds of love in the darkness

So, to SummarizeSo, to Summarize Vignette #13Vignette #13

Marching out of the darknessMarching out of the darkness The spoken word – literature and connectionThe spoken word – literature and connection Love has the power to hold us togetherLove has the power to hold us together Interested in the things we recognizeInterested in the things we recognize

Under the HouseUnder the House Mission statement for the book – true self-Mission statement for the book – true self-

recognitionrecognition Remembrance of heritage and awareness of Remembrance of heritage and awareness of

one’s rightful place in the universeone’s rightful place in the universe Peace through connection – “That was it. That Peace through connection – “That was it. That

was everything. He was thrilled.”was everything. He was thrilled.” The end and the beginningThe end and the beginning He chooses his direction – no more “biting He chooses his direction – no more “biting

flies” to displace him now that he’s taking flies” to displace him now that he’s taking control of his lifecontrol of his life

The Philosophical The Philosophical BaselineBaseline

We all need something to believe in, and We all need something to believe in, and a reason to believe in it.a reason to believe in it.

I can do virtually any job - anything - as I can do virtually any job - anything - as long as I don't hate it, but I can't do long as I don't hate it, but I can't do something I hate for a living.something I hate for a living.

Hope is worth preserving, even if it Hope is worth preserving, even if it requires ignoring the truth, if one needs requires ignoring the truth, if one needs it in order to endure hardship.it in order to endure hardship.

Isolation is a terrible thing.Isolation is a terrible thing. Family is convenient, but ultimately Family is convenient, but ultimately

unnecessary.unnecessary.

The Philosophical Baseline The Philosophical Baseline IIII

I deserve a better life than the one I’m I deserve a better life than the one I’m living now.living now.

If a secret will hurt someone, it If a secret will hurt someone, it shouldn’t be shared. shouldn’t be shared.

Members of a society have a Members of a society have a responsibility to provide for and protect responsibility to provide for and protect one another; we need each other in one another; we need each other in order to survive. order to survive.

I would sacrifice everything, big or I would sacrifice everything, big or small, for my loved ones.small, for my loved ones.

Injustice often goes unpunished.Injustice often goes unpunished.

The Philosophical Baseline The Philosophical Baseline IIIIII

I don’t like hearing bad news, and I I don’t like hearing bad news, and I don’t like seeing negative aspects don’t like seeing negative aspects of myself.of myself.

I am afraid of what the future I am afraid of what the future holds.holds.

I’ll back down in situations where I I’ll back down in situations where I clearly can’t win.clearly can’t win.

I test the beliefs I form, and I test the beliefs I form, and routinely re-examine my principles routinely re-examine my principles and ways of thinking.and ways of thinking.

The Philosophical Baseline The Philosophical Baseline IVIV

I cannot forgive betrayal.I cannot forgive betrayal. Literature is unimportant.Literature is unimportant. My family is counting on me to My family is counting on me to

succeed; their hopes and dreams succeed; their hopes and dreams lie with me.lie with me.