Them Girls

Everyone has different experiences in life; some people have it easier than others. In How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, by Julia Alvarez, she describes the changes based on the girls experience in the Dominican Republic (the Island) and America. In the novel, the cultural and traditional struggles between the Garcia girl's native culture and their newfound identity in America, establishes different ethical and religious events in contrast to an American. The events that are describes in the novel, appeals to people without the immigration similarities and people who can relate.

This book exhibits many tribulations where the girls are exposed to the unwilling. This demonstrates fear and the tension of life in the Dominican Republic and their new America.

In the beginning of the second half in the novel, Trespass, the Garcia’s were celebrating their first year as Americans. Although it was a challenge for them, not all of the family members were happy about their stay in America.  When the family was making a wish before blowing out the candles, Carla states:

“Why do you wish for on the first celebration of the day you lost everything? Everyone else around the table had their eyes closed as if they had no trouble deciding,” (150)

This exemplifies that back home, the family was very wealthy, and the change from one country to another was stimulating, but challenging from them all. Carla, as a child, does not understand the amount of dedication and integrity the parts had to come to America. They had to talk tough many risks, it was all for them- to have an easier life, versus their parents. This demonstrates that ultimately, Carla's life in America is overwhelming and horrific. The new environment, language, and tradition in America differs compared to the Dominican Republic, which makes it hard for her to adapt to her new home, especially because she is a young child.

This is important because it shows who the writer’s prime call is too. The exploitation of the Garcia family immigrating to America shows that the book expresses real-life events and the common anger and disputes one has after moving form one place to another. It emphasizes this by detailing the feeling of one person’s reaction versus a group of people. As a result, the specific elements in the novel fully aware the readers of the several features in the book; this makes it glorifying to read.

The unwieldy and tricky aspects of life demonstrated in the book, translates into a unique and exclusive comprehension. This is because, the many pieces of literature sometimes render to an out of control and shocking surprise.

When Yolanda went to college, there was this guy that she liked, but did not fully understand the opposite sex in America; they are different. As a result, the reaction of  what Ruby Elmenhurst asked for was  extraordinary:

“…Finally he cut off, said [Ruby], Hey, Jesus Christ I’ve waited five years, and you look like you’ve gotten past all your hang-ups. Let’s just fuck…” (103).

This emphasizes that Ruby’s urge to have sex with her was asked in a rude and inappropriate way.  I can only imagine the amount of embarrassment and disinterest she had when he oddly said, “let’s just fuck.”

This ties into the cultural and religious views that are shown in the novel because many women do not interact with men in this certain way. They are mainly together at home and they know what the man wants. As much as this sounds awkward, women in other countries do not have these awkward and rude conversations with men. The men know their limits. On the other hand, people who are not from the same native culture, their identity is not shown based on their cultural beliefs. They are normal people. This establishes different outcomes and awkward experiences with diverse people. All in all, people who can relate to these events have a closer connection to the book.

 In the second part, Trespass, Carla is walking home and there was a car following her. This experience was a scene where she was in shock and ineffable about:

“The man had tied his two shirt ends just above his waist and was naked form their on down. String encircled his waist, the loose ends knotted on front and then looped around his penis,” (157)

This shows that the amount of explosion to a new immigrate creates fear and ambiguity to Carla’s mind. The uniquely odd scene she was faced with established a scar in her, the challenges to explain this event in neither English nor Spanish brought in the aftershock of the event and the cultural differences between an America and herself.

Considering this event has a lot of background and traditional means behind it, this appeals to a person who has an explicit reason to maybe why Carla had this shock and the inability to explain her observation to the police. For instance, as a person whos parents are from a close cultural and religious based family, these types of events are not exposed. This event maybe similar to my belief: that she might of never experienced this before and because her parents never talked to her about the other gender and sex, it was a shocking and unexplainable occurrence to her.

This book appeals mostly to the people who clearly understand why occasions, like the examples I gave, happen. As a result, during certain events in the book, readers who have similar backgrounds clearly understand the events and reasons behind it. On the other hand, people who do not have that type of connection to the events, may be confused about the situations.

This relates to the traditional and cultural side that impacts their identity in America. The feeling that they were not safe, they did not have family any friends, created fear and discomfort to their new home. The cultural and traditional events back home were not as significant and exciting in American versus the Dominican Republic. Also, the misunderstandings in America that created hatred to their new home established sadness and will to leave-back to the Dominican Republic. Although life in America is helpful, the hardest part is settling and understanding that they are lucky to be in America.

In conclusion, the girl’s identity from their native cultural living space changes when they are in America. The newfound identity produces a change to their social and physical events. All in all, the closer connection you have to one book, establishes hope and curiosity to another.