Alex Fuhrmeister
I am Joaquin Assignment
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For the poem “I am Joaquin” by Rodolfo Gonzales, I interpreted it as a representation of
Mexican identity. Gonzales is showing readers how Mexican culture has been shaped over
centuries through the character of Joaquin. However, he’s also displaying Joaquin’s experience
as a Mexican living in the US. Joaquin is someone who sacrifices for the country, yet is met with
oppression and a lack of acceptance. I believe that Gonzales wanted to give the reader
perspective on how hard Chicanos have worked and how much they’ve had to endure.
Historically, considering that this was written during the Chicano movement, I believe that this
was written to show that being Chicano has meant going through a long historical struggle, and
that struggle is what’s shaped their identity. Regardless, much of society at the time and even
today viewed them as inferior, when they have no reason to criticize a culture that has done so
much for the US.
For page 2:
What is the rhetoric within this page? What is the poet conveying to the reader, and how
does he express it?
Gonzales builds ethos by comparing Joaquin to important historical characters. Gonzales uses
violent wording to evoke grief and sacrifice (pathos). He also uses capitalization and singles out
lines to emphasize certain emotions. He conveys the idea that freedom comes through sacrifice
through the emotions of Joaquin and violence of the passage.
How does Gonzalez use allusion within this page? What does he allude to, and how does
that relate to this section of the poem ? (Remember to look up what you do not know!)
Gonzales really utilizes allusion in this page. He refers to various historical and biblical figures.
When he says “El Grito de los Dolores,” he’s referring to Miguel Hidalgo, the man who began
the Mexican War of Independence. He also names Morelos, Matamoros, Guerrero, Mexican
revolutionary leaders who were executed. He also names Benito Juarez, Mexico’s indigenous
president who defended Mexican sovereignty against European powers. These allusions relate to
this section of the poem by showing the reader that Chicano identity comes from a history of
revolution, not just cultural tradition.
What is the form of the poem doing to pace out the readers recitation of the poem? What
lines stick out as especially pertinent for the reader’s interpretation of the work?
The form of the poem paces the readers recitation in several ways. There’s many short, isolated
lines that give significance to that line. Capitalization creates emphasis on certain words, making
the reader say them louder. When he lists names it evokes a sense of urgency, speeding up the
voice of the reader. Line breaks create pauses that cause tension and give time to reflect. Certain
lines that stick out are “I sentenced him who was me,” which combines the identity between
Joaquin and the revolutionaries. “The crown was gone / but / all his parasites remained,” which
criticizes systems of power. “I am Joaquin,” which grounds the reader and reaffirms the idea that
he is a product of history.
What images are striking? How are the illustrated on the page for the reader, and how does
this offer a more defined understanding of the poem’s rhetoric?
Gonzales uses intense imagery all throughout the poem. “His head… I placed on that fortress
wall,” creates a gory scene of execution. “STOOD AGAINST THAT WALL OF INFAMY,” as
the wall represents public humiliation. “This Giant / Little Zapotec,” The contradictory of a small
man with great moral power. Much of his imagery is illustrated with a sense of tension and
significance, helping the reader understand Gonzales’s rhetoric of emotional appeal and
historical reference.