POCHO
Alabdrabalnabi 1
Pocho by Jose Antonio Villarreal
Alabdrabalnabi Reda
University of Wyoming
POCHO
Alabdrabalnabi 2
Pocho by Jose Antonio Villarreal
People around the world have a belief that every Mexican born child is Catholic. This
specific stereotypical concept was very popular in the history of Mexicans. ‘Pocho’ is a novel
written by a Mexican American author Jose Antonio Villarreal. The story focuses on the
development of an American-Mexican child, and the imposition of a specific culture and religion
on him. In 1959, Knopf Doubleday published this novel for the first time. The leading character
of the novel is Richard Rubio who was the son of Mexican parents. His parents migrated from
Mexico to America during the depression-era. The author reflected the experience of a child who
called himself a ‘Pocho’. The term Pocho is used for those children who were born during the
depression era of Mexican American transition. Richard Rubio used to say that he is a Pocho,
and he speak like this because, in California, they know the art of making Castilian words out of
English words (Villarreal, 1959, pp. 165).
The Chicano experiences were popular during the period of 1920s to 1940s. The term
Chicano refers to those children who belong to Mexican parents but are living in America. The
parents of Richard Rubio were migrants farm workers who imposed their religious thoughts and
traditions over their American child. This novel discusses several aspects of this authoritative
imposition on Richard that affected his personality in many ways. He faced several spiritual
issues due to forced beliefs on his mind. These issues were common in Mexican children of that
time who were born and raised up in American culture. Throughout the novel, Richard Rubio
struggles and strives for getting to know his place in the world. The novel reflects the
adolescence and life of Richard Rubio as a Pocho child. He draws his weaknesses and strengths
POCHO
Alabdrabalnabi 3
between two different concepts of American and Mexican culture and tradition (Villarreal, 1959,
pp. 135).
The main theme and plot of the story is the difference in American and Mexican cultures
and the problems faced by Pocho children. This creates a sense of tension and confusion among
those children throughout their life. The author has described his views regarding this issue using
a narrative approach. The Pocho boy Richard Rubio is constantly pulled and pushed between the
two cultures, two languages and two beliefs. Richard Rubio is presented as a child who pretends
his inclination towards the Mexican culture, beliefs and language because it makes his parents
happier. The boy faces difficulties when he has to restrain himself from reflecting his ideas
inclined towards American perspective (Villarreal, 1959, pp. 148).
The novel Pocho also focuses on the consequences and problems that occur due to
starting life in unfamiliar surroundings. The parents of Richard Rubio migrated to California
America where they started a new life and gave birth to a Pocho child. They faced several
difficulties while adjusting in a new country and a different culture. The author draws attention
of the audience towards the fact that people confronts cultural and social problems in a new and
strange country. They become victims of their failure of adjustments in a futuristic society. They
are unable to recognize the power of culture and societal values integrated within a society. This
strong theme of the novel represents conflicts, characterization, plot, point of views and irony
(Villarreal, 1959, pp.145).
Juan Rubio was the father of Pocho child in the story. He was always against practicing
the American culture, values and beliefs. He wanted to go back to Mexico but could not return
due to Mexican revolution of that time. Juan Rubio imposed his Mexican beliefs on to his Pocho
child. There is a twist in the story presented in the novel when Juan Rubio buys a house in
POCHO
Alabdrabalnabi 4
California. The author presented this point by saying that he did not know that he is fashioning
the last link of happenings that would transform him into an American (Villarreal, 1959, pp.
136).
The impetuous actions of Juan Rubio turned him into an American inclined person and
eventually he left his family including Richard Rubio. The effects of his father’s beliefs were
long lasting on the mind of Richard Rubio. He tried to be true to himself, but he was divided in
two beliefs. He started finding his place in the world and tried to discover himself. His father
used to tell him about the oppression faced by Spanish people. In this way, his son will incline
towards Mexicans and will not practice American culture and beliefs (Villarreal, 1959, pp. 99100).
Another idea explored by the author is the emergence of a generation who is filled with
frustration and anger due to their unrecognized place in society. Richard was bullied in school,
and by friends because he was practicing conflicting belief in the society. As time passed,
Richard started discovering himself and differences of the contemporary culture. He attended
parties and events of American people in order to familiarize himself with their culture and
tradition. Initially, his brought up taught him that he is superior over American people but soon
he realized that this concept will make him totally lost in the society. The idea was presented by
the author, as the Pocho child will lose the race if he attempted to differentiate himself from the
culture in which he is living (Villarreal, 1959, pp. 149).
Along with exploring the cultural and traditional values of the American society, Pocho
child realizes the needs and requirements of his adolescence. He was quickly turned into a
mature, young man, but he was reluctant in discussing his desires and adulthood concerns with
anybody. The author discussed the thinking of this young boy by narrating his learning of three
POCHO
Alabdrabalnabi 5
things in his life (Villarreal, 1959, pp.61). The boy was confused due to the teaching which says
that he cannot discuss the matter of adulthood with his parents. He was also not allowed to
discuss it with religious priests because it will through it in hell on the judgment day. The last
concern raised by Richard Rubio was that he cannot ask a question regarding the history from
her teacher otherwise she will keep him in the school even after the free time (Villarreal, 1959,
pp. 85-86).
The ideas and concepts raised by the author in Pocho draws the attention of readers
towards finding their own self. One should blindly follow the imposed beliefs, but a critical
analysis is necessary for getting clear idea regarding beliefs. The children with imposed concepts
can never go too far in their lives because of the limitation on their minds set by their parents.
The confusions among the children such as Pocho may lead them to failure in their lives
(Villarreal, 1959, pp.187)
POCHO
Alabdrabalnabi 6
References
José Antonio Villarreal. (1959). Pocho. Anchor Literary Library. Anchor Books. Pp. 115-132.
José Antonio Villarreal. (1959). Pocho. Anchor literary library. Anchor Books. Pp. 85-148.
José Antonio Villarreal. (1959). Pocho. Anchor literary library. Anchor Books. Pp.146-187.
José Antonio Villarreal. (1959). Pocho. Anchor Literary Library. Anchor Books. Pp. 150-154.