BA#4.docx

(Page 369; Paragraph 1) Leslie Marmon Silko came from a place where words that were meaningful and from the heart were valued most. The true meaning of the words spoken by the Pueblo people is often distant to the audience because the speaker keeps the truth hidden. Silko wrote this untraditional passage to portray the oral patterns of English to the readers. She explains that the reading may be difficult for those who are used to the traditional, rhythmic patterns of traditional papers. Comparing her passage to a spider web, Silko explains that the readers must act as the Pueblo people by trusting that even though the details may be ?tangled? and unorganized, the point of the passage will be made. (Page 378; Paragraph 1) Before Min-zhan Lu?s mother fell into utter silence a few days before her death, Min-zhan listened to her mother explain how she regretted raising her sisters in a world of conflict. At home, the world was ruled by the ?Western humanistic tradition? while Mao Tse-Tung?s Marxism conquered their society. Although Lu wanted to tell her mother that her strict educational routine was beneficial to her, Lu fell silent when her mother explained the guilt she felt for the constant ?political persecution? this caused Min-zhan and her siblings. Le reflected on her memories of aggravation and perplexity of her past so often, that she neglected the fact that she could have gained a lot from the ridicule. (Page 351; Paragraph 3) Although Richard Rodriguez came from a Spanish-speaking household, his parents spoke English in the public areas of Sacramento. Although they could communicate with the other citizens, los gringos, Richard?s parents struggled with the swift and apprehensive syllables of the English language. However, when they were safe in their home, Richard and his family spoke the soft and relaxed words of his Spanish heritage. The painless, even and quick phrases were the sounds of his home.