I believe that Rivera captures the suffering and strength of his people, the Bracero workers, though the story telling of his narrator. This is especially encapsulated in the chapter “And the earth did not devour him”, where the narrator continues to work in the fields, after his Aunt and Uncle had died from tuberculosis and his brother from the hard labor, and the emotional suffering he faces when trying to internalize this suffering. Rivera powers through his suffering, and continues to work and take care of his cousins, regardless of the horrendous circumstances he is facing and refuses to give up, stating “Not yet, you cant swallow me up yet”( P. 112). By sharing his story of struggle and strength through personal narrative, people are likely to understand his hardships and feel empathy for his peoples struggles, and is acting as a representation of his peoples sufferings.
Rivera employed the rhetorical strategy of quotations, that shared conversations between him and his family members during this hardship, and the anger he felt during this time. For example he states “How come were like this, like were buried alive? Either the germs eat us alive or the sun burns us up” ( P. 109). By inserting direct dialogue that the young boy is saying, it acts as a truthful statements for the reader, and allows the reader to enter the mind of this character, and someone of the time period to empathize with them. It also helps to make this time period feel more real when its represented with people who share their thoughts.
Very good point about the relationship between the two brothers. I felt the that moments like that in Rivera’s work show some his best qualities as a writer and ability to speak to his audience through his work.
Great analysis here. I agree with you on how he uses direct conversation in order to get through to the readers.