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Reflection on a year of reading Mexican literature:

BOOKS: “Mexico: A history” by Ryal Miller; “El narco” by Ian Grillo; “Wisdom sits in place” by Keith H. Barasso; “Signs preceding the end of the world” by Yuri Herrera

WORDS:857

General Reflection: in this project as we were selecting which countries to pick, I tried my best to find a country that not only appealed to me but a country that I found deep interest in. I ended up choosing Mexico as my choice because it is a country that is overlooked by many, but when you look into their cultures beginnings you begin to realize that they had and still have a heavy influence on today’s cultures varying to all majority of nations. I also purposely chose to read works from different authors mainly because I wanted to explore all that Mexican literature had in store for an interested reader like me. The recurring theme in the books that I seem to have picked up is that they all share a sense of pride for the place and home in which they originate from. In “Mexico: A history”, the author shows the significance of Mexican culture around the world, and introduces how the nation came to be and the early days of history in which their discovery and ingenious inventions came to inspire people all around the world even today. The book is an amazing view on how intake historical information as it is from the perspective of the “people”, it appeals to the reader in a fashion of them talking amongst other people. In “Wisdom sits in place”, the book talks is revolved around four Apache people and the significance of their “place” in their culture. “Signs preceding the end of the world” is a boom about a woman who goes through some trials as she is attempting to cross over from Mexico to the United States. Once she has seen both worlds, she begins to compare and reminisce on how innocent her home back in Mexico used to be unlike the United States. In “el narco”, the author Ian Grillo used a specific type of figurative language in personification, as he was describing the dangerous drug smuggling rings that had begun to take over the nation of Mexico. “He always took weekly calls, despite his harassing deadlines, and would clarify all issues I battled to understand”. The overall theme was that, they went through some hardships, they had misunderstandings, but they all still had a deep respect and connection to their home of Mexico.

“Mexico: A history”- in this book I learned and improved upon what I had already understood about Mexico in the fact that they had so much inspiration to the world but their internal conflicts keep them from gaining the recognition they deserve. The book also discusses Mexico’s good times back when the Mayans and Aztecs ran majority of North America. These were the times which brought out the intelligence and inspiration of Mexico implanted in other cultures.

“El narco”-  this book was definitely the most interesting as it talked about the infamous and unfortunate drug cartels Mexico is known for possessing. The book varies between several characters but still managed to give an insight on how these money laundering king pins ran the nation with the government as a disguise, since they basically owned them.

“Wisdom sits in place”- this book was the hardest because the differentiating point of views between four characters threw you off as well as the book had a lack of any material or action to really satisfy the reader or even bring them in. The interesting portion of the book was the dedication and pride each character had in making  themselves better in occupying their role in society.

“Signs preceding the end of the world”- this book was definitely my favorite, as it gave two different perspectives from one character, the figurative language was amazing, and for a book of this nature, the reader wouldn’t expect it to be as action packed as it was. The book also tosses a bunch of metaphorical terms around as well as an insight on how tough it is to move from one place to another with no idea what you’re heading into.

“What I learned about myself”- for me I learned that once I make an effort to actually read, I get to gain a better understanding of the work that I’m reading, the fashion in which the author seems to usually write in, as well as a better enjoyment of the literature piece. Although that didn’t apply to one of the books, it was very apparent in others. I have learned an extensive amount of information about Mexico in addition to what I had already knew, which increase my attention to the nation and led me to do a little more outside research to further understand their history. I not only improved my reading skills, but I also improved my writing, as well as my time management due to this project because if I really wanted to make effort I had to set time apart since it’s not something you can just do in 10 minutes.

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Week 20 blog post

Mexico: A history

Ryal Miller

Pages read: 89- 125

Word count: 391

Summary: Well, we finally made it to the last week of the reading, so sad that it went by as far as it went. In the last final section we get to see the same basic rerun that people face in history. The basic confusing leaders that end up in positions that put their people in jeopardy. We learn that the Mayans people in their day were led by a toltec leader. We also get deeper into the rituals and beliefs that not only the Mayans practiced but also the Aztecs as well. They used directions and certain pin points as good luck, cures, and labeled some as forbidden. Some of their beliefs came to be erased in the tunnel of time, but reminiscent elements of some of the other beliefs stuck around and are still practiced by modern day Mexicans and other Latino nations.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Ryal Miller manages to sneak in some literary terms in this nonfiction novel as it can be difficult at times, especially with how creative he put it since these terms didn't seem to be repetitive as usually seen in non-fiction. The first term he uses is a metaphor as he compares the leader to snake.“The toltec warrior kukulkan("feathered serpent”) led followers to Yucatan"(89). Another way he shows his skills is through a use of personification in his description of the beliefs of the Mayans people.“Tradition holds that topiltzin quetzalcoatl went to the east”(97). He uses that skill to not only explain the beliefs of the tribes, but was also to put so much information about their beliefs in such minimal words.

 PERSONAL RESPONSE: I really enjoyed this whole book. It's honestly as good and filled and filled with raw facts if the nation's history in a manner that history and this explanation can't justify. Those who can get a handle of this book I highly recommend it. It made me feel as if I was discovering this history myself as it connected modern day to back then and you really get to see how many modern day beliefs, artifacts, and attraction came to be. This discovery is mind blowing but it also feels odd because I feel as if I am already suppose to know this information but I'm only finding it out now. It is a great book.

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"Tradition holds that topiltzinquetzalcoatl went to the east".(97)

Mexico: A history

Ryal Miller

#personification

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"The toltec warrior kukulcan("feathered serpent") led followers to Yucatan".(89)

Mexico: A history

Ryal Miller

#metaphor #personification

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Week 19 blog post

Mexico: A history

By: Ryal Miller

Pages read: 64-86

Word count: 273

Summary: welcome back, this week we gave a short week but the history keeps on coming. We take a trip back to really explore how advanced and amazing as well as impactful the Mayans culture was. We also get to understand their beginnings during the 10th century and how their touch on colors made them stand out. They used vivid colors as a characteristic they carried with them. Their numerical calendar as well as the overall numerical system was a big help in their rich understanding of astronomy. Their understanding and astronomical discoveries still shocks people to this day on how they were able to accumulate such knowledge with so little. In their case that's all they needed and their brilliance paved their way of life in the coming future but also paved the way for future generations to come, as well as the on coming of great nations and great minds.

PERSONAL RESPONSE: my personal response to this short but thoughtful section was that it made up in the fields that it lacked. Once again I'll state that this is a very good book written from an amazing point of view as well as it gives an authentic feeling to a reader since it attempts to connect with the reader as well as provide rich information about the nation of Mexico from a people's stand point. I emphasize the standpoint because you don't receive that sometimes bias historian view, you get the raw, straightforward facts from the people, which makes it feel like you're having a conversation rather than a lecture.

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" A Maya renaissance occurred in northern Yucatan beginning in the 10th century"(64)

Mexico: A history

Ryal Miller

#metaphor

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Week 18 blog

Mexico: A History

By Ryal Miller

Pages read: 24-69

Word count: 444

Summary: this section was changing. We shifted from the excitement of the Mayans to a whole new tribe and lifestyle. We have fine into a time where things are beginning to change and change quick. Although some reminiscences are still left behind and implicated into the new society, a couple things were new and the old way basically out. In this section we begin to see the rise if bee tribe, or in this case a nation because that is what they truly were, they claimed land and passed on their way of living to others, whether forcefully….well to be honest that was the only option that was given. This new tribe was the new age Aztecs, they had taken a couple things from the Mayans like their advanced calendars, and their writing and had put their own little style on it, for it to properly for for their language. Aztecs where a little more harsh than the Mayans when it came to conquering and everything they did was much quicker and at a fast pace.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: this section doesn't only focus on one literature term, but instead we focus on newer information and newer ways the writer shows he implement all types of terms even if this is borderline non-fiction. The first sign if the writers ingenious is when he uses a metaphor to compare the Mayans and Aztecs, marital wise. “In older times, they married when they were 20 years old. But now they marry when there 12 or 14”(26). Miller shoes and explains that a major difference was the rate at which girls in both tribes were beginning to be present in marital relations, and it also further proved the point that the Aztecs lived a faster paced lifestyle than the Mayans. The last and final term the writer shows is when he begins to describe what the geography to them would later pose for us.”A vast oval basin…where Mexico city was eventually built”(55). He shows that back then, the fears they had or land they avoided and abandoned would later become remarkable and stunning cities in our world today. He portrayed this using a slick showing of foreshadowing.

PERSONAL RESPONSE: in all honesty this wss by for my favorite section because it begins to feel like a novel, especially with the shifting of the storyline. As they shift from mayan to Aztec, you begin to see an insight unlike before that offers history from a person to person in a non biased stand point, and also brings the reader in extensive literary term usage and images to offer surprises to all of the reader's senses.

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"A vast oval basin...where Mexico city was eventually built"(55)

Mexico: A history

By: Ryal Miller

#foreshadowing

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" In older times, they married when they were 20 years old. But now they marry when there 12 or 14"(26)

#metaphor

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Week 17 blog

Mexico: A history

Ryal Miller

Pages: 1-15

Word count: 345

Summary: this week I actually started a new book, it is called “ Mexico: A history”, which is another version of long running books of the “people's history”. This a certain type of history told by the people and how they feel their nation has came to be. This type of writing tends to be a raw version and a clear version of history. In the section that i read this week it is a startup that talks about the early ages of Mexican culture, starting back with the Mayans and how they're advanced culture helped them develop a her prestigious lifestyle and very sophisticated. It goes to explain how many other nations and ways of life like in Europe, they weren't nearly as advanced as the Mayans and as educated. The Mayans even in u.s. history posed as a great inspiration to other nations to come and are still praised by their advanced lifestyle which was beyond their time for a long time to come.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: in the first quote of this Week, the author uses a metaphor which are very rare in this types of writings. “"In many ways their achievements surpass all other native American groups."(pg 13) in that quote you get to see a direct quote  from the author explaining what I previously stated. The fact that the Mayans were much more advanced and more comprehensive to certain situations better than other group, and tribes.

PERSONAL RESPONSE: in this section i liked the appeal the author passes off in bragging about the great nation Mexico used to be. I enjoyed and I really likr history which in this situation is a win win for me. I feel as if it is really important for history like this to be around since the history books might not go into as much detail as “the people's history”. I hope the book continues with the same energy and topic as it appeal very well to the reader, mixed in with the authors perficient writing style, it makes the book twice as good.

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"In many ways their achievements surpass all other native American groups."(pg13)

Mexico: A history

By: Ryal Miller

#metaphor

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Week 16 Blog

El Narco

By: Ian Grillo

Pages 142_157)

Words:448

Summary:In this week's section, we start to see a chip started by some of the people exploring the cartels of Mexico. We get an inside look from a reporter who is Guided by General Solorzano, in this section we see that this General is very tough and hard-headed. He pretty much represents the stereotype of every general. This section is explained as a way to show how Narcotics are dealt on the hands of the Mexican government. As they continued we see the general do things like taste the cocaine, and meth in order to assure their legitimacy. They explain how many of these weekly checkups are time consumers since they're are new drugs constantly coming in from raids done some cartels “safe houses”. Another interesting subject That they mention is the methods they use to get rid of surplus or drugs that they don't need for evidence purposes. The general mentions that usually,make a bonfire and just burn the supplements that they truly don't need anymore, or drugs that they feel should be eradicated off the streets. Towards the end of the section we get to see how good the generals skills truly are as they pulled over a car and he was instantly able to identify the supplies as cocaine before the specialists could get to it.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:  not to many signs of figurative language were used in this section, matter of fact that goes for the whole book since it is non-fiction. The book plays a role that can sometimes be seen as fiction but it's in fact a break down and simplistic view on the drug insurgency in the nation of Mexico. “ "This is crystal”(147).This is a symbol used  by the general as he talks about the meth that he had been presented with in his lab. He uses slang to describe the drug instead of just say the literal name of “ methamphetamine”."He always took weekly calls, despite his harassing deadlines, and would clarify all issues I battled to understand"(156). This is another use of  figurative language as the writer presents the soon approaching deadlines are literally harassing the character.

PERSONAL RESPONSE: this section was an interesting one because we actually got to see a different point of view on how the government viewed the coming on of drugs. The reaction wasn't really different from that of gangsters since they were both playing 2 sides of the same game. This section was one of the lated back sections but it did give a reader a different perspective on how the Narco crisis was being held by Mexican government officials.

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"He always took weekly calls, despite his harassing deadlines, and would clarify all issues I battled to understand"(156)

El Narco

Ian Grillo

#personification

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Week 15 blog!!!

El Narco

By: Ian Grillo

Pages read: 141- 153

Words count: 508

Summary:In this week's reading we begin to really get deep in the storyline as we discover and stumbleupon two of Mexico's drug dealing duo. This duo consisted of 2 brothers who ran a cocaine ring. These 2 brothers were so famous that they even caught the attention of the United States media. Their heavy partying and drinking got them this honor but you shouldn't be fooled,  as they were dangerous as there can be. They were in known as the arellano Felix brothers. As the era was reaching its climax, big leaders who held big names were starting to disappear. Some were falling to prison sentences, death from the usage of their own product, and some even went as far as “faking”their own deaths, at least that's what people suspected when a kingpin “died” from plastic surgery complications. The longest to live were the two party living brothers, who in surprise to many, made it into the 21st century. They didn't make it far as the last one was killed in 2002 during a traffic stop but other than that, the brothers had done well in maintaining theirs “lives” as their competitors were slowly falling from Grace.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: the section ran wild with figurative language, but the struggle was finding which ones could hold a stable backup argument.”the baby-faced psycho who pioneered narco terror in Mexico”(pg 142). This gives an example usage of metaphors in the passage as the writer compared a full grown man's face to the face of a baby, indicating that although he was an adult, he lacked rugged/grown facial features. That further  explaining his tha he had a young face. It could also be somewhat of a double entendre because you would never expect a baby face to be a psycho or in any way violent..” A year later, Amado Carrillo Fuentes died of plastic-surgery complications in a Mexico City hospital. Or did he? A gangster of mythological proportions in life, he went out in his own puff of smoke. It was all a trick, people whisper on the Juárez streets; Amado is really kicking it in the Caribbean sipping margaritas. Or maybe he is working in a gas station in Texas alongside Elvis Presley”(pg150). This elongated quote serves as a hyperbole as the author proposes the gangster faked his own death and is now living on a private island. What makes it truly stand out as a hyperbole is when the author mention the possibility of the character having life amongst people like Elvis Presley.

PERSONAL RESPONSE: this week's reading wasn't too much of a hassle especially in trying to find out what was going on. This week's we were presented with new faces and new deaths, but things were a little less complicated as the author got straight to the point and we the readers were able to sit back and sew inside the very dangerous and psychotic minds of drug dealers, and kingpins.

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Week 15 blog

El Narco

By: Ian Grillo

Pages read: 141- 153

Words count: 508

Summary:In this week's reading we begin to really get deep in the storyline as we discover and stumbleupon two of Mexico's drug dealing duo. This duo consisted of 2 brothers who ran a cocaine ring. These 2 brothers were so famous that they even caught the attention of the United States media. Their heavy partying and drinking got them this honor but you shouldn't be fooled,  as they were dangerous as there can be. They were in known as the arellano Felix brothers. As the era was reaching its climax, big leaders who held big names were starting to disappear. Some were falling to prison sentences, death from the usage of their own product, and some even went as far as “faking”their own deaths, at least that's what people suspected when a kingpin “died” from plastic surgery complications. The longest to live were the two party living brothers, who in surprise to many, made it into the 21st century. They didn't make it far as the last one was killed in 2002 during a traffic stop but other than that, the brothers had done well in maintaining theirs “lives” as their competitors were slowly falling from Grace.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: the section ran wild with figurative language, but the struggle was finding which ones could hold a stable backup argument.”the baby-faced psycho who pioneered narco terror in Mexico”(pg 142). This gives an example usage of metaphors in the passage as the writer compared a full grown man's face to the face of a baby, indicating that although he was an adult, he lacked rugged/grown facial features. That further  explaining his tha he had a young face. It could also be somewhat of a double entendre because you would never expect a baby face to be a psycho or in any way violent..” A year later, Amado Carrillo Fuentes died of plastic-surgery complications in a Mexico City hospital. Or did he? A gangster of mythological proportions in life, he went out in his own puff of smoke. It was all a trick, people whisper on the Juárez streets; Amado is really kicking it in the Caribbean sipping margaritas. Or maybe he is working in a gas station in Texas alongside Elvis Presley”(pg150). This elongated quote serves as a hyperbole as the author proposes the gangster faked his own death and is now living on a private island. What makes it truly stand out as a hyperbole is when the author mention the possibility of the character having life amongst people like Elvis Presley.

PERSONAL RESPONSE: this week's reading wasn't too much of a hassle especially in trying to find out what was going on. This week's we were presented with new faces and new deaths, but things were a little less complicated as the author got straight to the point and we the readers were able to sit back and sew inside the very dangerous and psychotic minds of drug dealers, and kingpins.

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Week 14 blog

EL Narco

Ian Grillo

Pages:110-145

Words: 420

SUMMARY:In this new section, the cartel bosses and the narrator of the story give an insight on what's to come. The narrator begins by explaining about the slums of Mexico and the type of residents that live In. Not much information is given regarding it but the talk of the slums would later pose as a connecting point between what the narrator discusses, what we the readers know and the conversation the cartel leaders discuss later in the story. As we move into the story we find out that the slums being discusses would later be turned into the main ground and center of the drug crisis in Mexico. What we move on to grows onto the new problem. The mobsters start talkin about the deaths of a deceased leader and the struggles that were going to follow in the steps of his demise. The drug war would become uneven for one side as they were short a leader which also led to lack of workmanship and trust among the cartel. A majority of the cartels gathered together to talk about the future of the drug war going forward, what action were needed. And what steps needed to be taken not only regarding Mexico's future but the future of the cartel without the usual leadership.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:  "slums that would later be the center of the drug war". This shows an example of irony but at the same time it shows foreshadowing. The irony is shown through the fact that the slums that were being pleasantly praised by narrator would become the dirty slums that would host the drug What, that would be ironic because neither the narrator, the reader, nor the cartel members expected these alums to become what it has turned into. It shows foreshadowing in the fact that it tells the reader of what's to come before it actually happens." the holidaying capos discussed the future of the Mexican underworld. " this shows an example of foreshadowing because it shows and explains to the reader what is to come later in the story with all the readers noticing it or not knowing for sure that is to come will be guaranteed.

PERSONAL RESPONSE: I would definitely recommend this book because it amazing in highlighting and telling the people perspective on the history of the drug riddled nation of Mexico. The book also seems to be very straightforward keeping the reader focused as things tend to happen very quickly and instantaneously.

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" the holidaying capos discussed the future of the Mexican underworld. "(127)

El Narco

Ian Grillo

#foreshadowing