Chicana Feminism

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Chicana Feminism

            Estrella is depicted as resistant in the initial development of the story by Viramontes. She appears passive when the family’ depiction is made at the guidance of Cesar Chavez’s claim for better working conditions and wages as they were migrant workers. In one instant, Estrella was hesitant in helping Perfecto tear down the barn, which was derelict. In return, she would receive some form of payment. Initially, she was passive before gaining confidence to do so. In another instance, Estrella did not seem amused by the darkened form of the ceiling at the barn. Alejo and Gumecinedo had picked peaches in order to sell. The sounds of birds during the darkness seemed to alert everyone, but not Estrella. She was still engulfed in her own thoughts and imaginations. In addition, she was only focused on her puppy love with Alejo.

            Viramontes uses dual linguistic technique to deliver the complexity of the characters in the story. For example, the narrator is absent and Viramontes talks of Petra’s life through moving in and out of her consciousness. It enables understanding of the motivations of the character. The use of dual linguistic technique resonates with hybrid condition that Chicano’s occupied. The migrant workers suffered at the hands of the owners especially with poor pay and working conditions. By using the technique, Viramontes deliberated on symbolism of the feminist tradition to raise its awareness. For example, the maturity of Estrella was significant when he decided to tackle the nurse and ensure Alejo was properly attended to at the clinic rather than being abandoned. The impact made them relaise their value and clamor for improvements despite theior styatus as migrant workers.