Mericans By Cisneros Summary

I was most drawn to “Mericans” as the story provokes a gratitude of thought, displays the rawness of cultural diversity through the Mexican church and resonates with the innocence of childhood through the eyes of Micaela. The author, Cisneros, brings to life the full reality of the livelihood of Mexican Americans through this story. In “Mericans” we are offered an opportunity to look inside the family dynamics of a Mexican family and how they are often misunderstood through their custom. We are also afforded the opportunity to visualize a church that plays a cornerstone in their culture. This literary display is why I feel that the story “Mericans” is the best choice for nomination.
We are first introduced to the character of “Awful Grandmother”
“Mericans” takes place somewhere in Mexico at a church that the secondary character, “Awful Grandmother” goes to pray. The author enriches the story by first using Spanish words, like La Virgen de Guadalupe and la ofrenda to ease the reader into the story’s setting. As these words play coy to the ear, I begin to visualize a small town church, the warmth in the air, dusty skies and the laughter of children hammering footsteps on the pavement as they play their favorite games. Awful Grandmother disappears through a heavy leather curtain that has a dusty velvet inner, while the children must remain outside. Vendors are set up outside the church, that sell comic books, fried cookies and balloons. You could almost hear the joy that is enlightened in the hearts of children bestowed by their favorite “Familia Burron comic book.” However, Micaela and her brothers are not allowed to partake in these vendors. Then, Micaela states that, “There are armies of penitents carrying banners and flowered arches while musicians play tinny trumpets and tinny drums” as the author flourishes the setting. Next, we are introduced to the La Virgin de Guadalupe, which is sitting, “behind a plate of thick glass” and a “gold crucifix bent crooked as a mesquite tree when someone once threw a