Pocho by Jose Antonio Villarreal :: Mexican Culture Catholicism Book Review

Pocho by Jose Antonio VillarrealMany people would say that to be innate(p) a Mexican is to be born a Catholic. This perpetuating stereotype has forced many Mexican families to raise their children as if no other religions options even existed. In the book Pocho by Jose Antonio Villarreal a young boy by the name of Richard Rubio mothers himself being raised Catholic by a traditional Mexican family. Richard, try to find his place in the world, has his p atomic number 18nts religious beliefs pressed down on him forcing him to conform to a religion he does not agree with. Throughout the note of the novel the Catholic religious beliefs imposed on Richard affected his personality in many ways. By the end of the book it is clear that not allowing others to find their own spiritual calling can have drastic effects on their ability to recognize who they are. Many of the spiritual problems Richard faces in book are common to a number of Mexican children. Through the use of my personal exper iences in being in a situation similar to that of Richards, I mean to support my claim that forced beliefs may have damaging effects on a person. As soon as the main character Richard is introduced into the tale line we learn his beliefs about god before we even learn his name. Perhaps Villarreal, even this early, is tiring to show readers that in the Mexican American goal religion, specifically Catholicism, plays an extremely large role. Richard carries his Virgin Mary picture home which he received as a reward for being the first in his age group to learn the catechism protecting it in his handkerchief. The Catholic Church has often rewarded people for their achievements when pertaining to studying their religion in hope that they will throw out them to remain catholic. When I attended catechism I was always rewarded for having perfect attendance. This idea that you will be rewarded for an achievement or attendance may be a way for the church to make sure you are there every Su nday and behaving well. Richard claims that the picture had little value to him but it was a symbol of recognition. surely he would go home and present it to his mother knowing that it being from the church would mean a lot to her. Many times I would do the same thing with my tokens of recognition, posting them proudly on the refrigerator, not because it was worth anything, but because of the praise I would received for it.