Nobody in this world shares the same genes. Everybody in the world
carries a unique identity that largely relies upon the relationship between people and their society. Farmworker’s
Daughter, a novel by Rose Castillo Guilbault, inspires us to
reflect how we have changed throughout the years. In the book, Rose is a
Mexican immigrant girl that had a hard time finding her identity. Rose had to
adapt to the new surrounding, when she moved to America, in which the culture and
language is totally different to what she grew up with. The struggle that she
went through to conform to the society and her effort to maintain it throughout
the years was remarkable. After reading Giulbault’s story, I came to a
realization that our identity is indeed affected by the interactions we had in
our society.
The environment that surrounds us has major influences on our behavior. As for Rose, having had lived in two distinct places with totally different cultures, it may creates confusion on her identity. She might found it confusing to determine her true identity as she was born and raised in Mexico for 6 years but grew up in America in which the culture is totally different. Jose, Rose’s stepfather who work as a farmworker, says, “ In Mexico, only whores go out with men without chaperones”(172). In America, going out on a date is something usual but it is inappropriate in Mexican culture. Even though the American society recognizes Rose as a Mexican, they do not follow Mexican culture. This is the biggest challenge for Rose, as she needs to balance her life as both Mexican and American. Rose’s parents identify her as a Mexican but her friends identify her as an American. The unclear identity of herself causes confusion for Rose as she was treated differently in two different social groups, her family and her friends.
Having had the opportunity to study abroad in America for education causes a significant change in my life. Generally, the local culture and living environment were the one that influenced me. I was raised in Indonesia, a developing country, where the city and culture are completely different from the United States. I began to learn to manage my expenses and prioritize my needs rather than my desire. The foods’ price in America quadrupled as compared Indonesia and therefore it is such a necessity for me to be able to manage my expenses efficiently in an economical way. Also, I became more disciplined ever since I came here. In Indonesia, littering and speeding are norms rather than exceptional, and for sure I cannot apply those manners in this country. American culture demands us to give a right of way for pedestrians, while in Indonesia; drivers would accelerate before someone starts to cross. Every nation develop their own set of rules. Thus, to be accepted in the society, we ought to follow the local’s norms.
Parents, the first members of one’s social life, have significant roles in constructing one’s identity. Maria Luisa and Tito are the first people whom Rose has socialized with. The kindness and mistreatment from parents would remain ingrained in child’s mind and impact his/her life. Rose felt the motherly love from Maria while Tito didn’t leave any good memories, as Rose claims, “I only remember his impatience. How he’d push me away after a hug”(12). Furthermore, the fact that Tito had a mistress that brought Rose’s parents into a divorce also affected her. As the daughter of a father who didn’t give his love and even lied to her mother about his previous wife, Rose might has a bad impression of her father. Her disappointment about father image had reached climax point when her mom dated a temperamental man, Mr. Brown. Through these incidents, Rose might think that men are rude and egoistic. Rose’s interpretation towards men has changed and it could influence her future. Her lost of trust in men might cause a dilemma for Rose in having a relationship with man. Hence, family bonds strongly influence of one’s life.
My family influences me significantly. Being raised in a Chinese family, a strict conservative environment, it is normal for parents to discipline their children with corporal punishment. My mom used to hit and punish me with a rattan whenever I did something wrong. Her treatment traumatized me and developed a fear since I was young. However, the discomforts that I had in my childhood are paid off after several years. My neighbors acclaim me as a discipline and diligent boy because their children often sneak out in the middle of the night and cause them to have low grades in school. They said that it was their mistake of giving their child freedom ever since they are young. Unquestionably, if we were to be given too much freedom in our life, we would not grow up to be a responsible adult as we would always find another way that please us. Our parents lived longer in this world; therefore they know what is the best for us as they know that it will benefit our life in the future.
In Rose’s struggle as a Mexican, she met two great mentors who brought up her self-confidence back again. Her meeting with Mrs. Rojas caused huge impacts on her personality in looking for her own self. Guilbault states,” [the] seeds of self-worth, acceptance, and pride in who I was were planted so subtly that I didn’t even realize they were growing until many years later, when I found them rooted inside me” (86). Mrs. Rojas was a Mexican American teacher who also had painful humiliation by her peers, but now she stood out as an amazing teacher. Looking at Mrs. Rojas’ life journey, Rose may introspect herself that being born as Mexican does not mean that it limits her to show her excellence. If Rojas can, why can’t Rose? Rose’s talent in writing was developed by Edith Winslow who work on Rustler Herald newspaper. She hired Rose to work as a journalist. Rose had an excellent performance and people start to recognize her. When society accepted the existence of one’s self, alternatively it will boost up one’s self-confidence. The appreciation of the society towards her work boosted her morality and encouraged her to do an even better job.
When I was 4 years old, one of my teachers scolded me as a dumb student. It leaves such a very depressing impression in my mind and it still affects me today. All these years, I have improved on my performance in school. However, I still consider myself as a mediocre student. When people praise me “ you are great ” or like ”you are smart”, I always deny it with “no, you are too much. I am not that good”. I experienced this back in my secondary socialization and it influenced me significantly as I grew up with that thought deeply ingrained in my mind. Up to today, I have the tendency to underestimate my own ability, but I always bear in mind that the incident happened in the past and who I am today will be a better person.
The presence of a lover in someone’s life undoubtedly can change one’s character and personality. Rose had her first date with Jimmy, a young soldier. To Rose, having jimmy as a male acquaintance meant more than just a friend and even best friend. Rose might discover herself turning from nobody to somebody. Since she has no siblings, Jimmy is Rose’s shoulder to cry on, when she is sharing her problems. Having a romantic relationship can make us to be a better person since he or she understands us more rather than we ourselves do. He or she can see the part of us that we never knew. Our lover is the person whom we share our problems with and ask for his or her opinions. My girlfriend always supports me with positive words when I face difficulties and she influences my life. She comments on my bad personality and behaviors and hope I can change it. A good relationship happens where the couple talks like best friends, play like kids, argue like husband and wife, and protect each other like siblings.
Environment we lived in, family, teachers and friends are the agents of socialization. Every moment that we had with them influence our identity. The interactions between them are the process when our individuality is shaped. As time goes by, we meet new people who have different attitudes and it might changes our behaviors as well. People’s identity can be reformed over and over again without any limitation. Accept the good things and leave the bad ones. Good memories will increase one’s confidence while bad experiences will lower it down. Ourselves are strongly constructed by people around us and so do yours.
The environment that surrounds us has major influences on our behavior. As for Rose, having had lived in two distinct places with totally different cultures, it may creates confusion on her identity. She might found it confusing to determine her true identity as she was born and raised in Mexico for 6 years but grew up in America in which the culture is totally different. Jose, Rose’s stepfather who work as a farmworker, says, “ In Mexico, only whores go out with men without chaperones”(172). In America, going out on a date is something usual but it is inappropriate in Mexican culture. Even though the American society recognizes Rose as a Mexican, they do not follow Mexican culture. This is the biggest challenge for Rose, as she needs to balance her life as both Mexican and American. Rose’s parents identify her as a Mexican but her friends identify her as an American. The unclear identity of herself causes confusion for Rose as she was treated differently in two different social groups, her family and her friends.
Having had the opportunity to study abroad in America for education causes a significant change in my life. Generally, the local culture and living environment were the one that influenced me. I was raised in Indonesia, a developing country, where the city and culture are completely different from the United States. I began to learn to manage my expenses and prioritize my needs rather than my desire. The foods’ price in America quadrupled as compared Indonesia and therefore it is such a necessity for me to be able to manage my expenses efficiently in an economical way. Also, I became more disciplined ever since I came here. In Indonesia, littering and speeding are norms rather than exceptional, and for sure I cannot apply those manners in this country. American culture demands us to give a right of way for pedestrians, while in Indonesia; drivers would accelerate before someone starts to cross. Every nation develop their own set of rules. Thus, to be accepted in the society, we ought to follow the local’s norms.
Parents, the first members of one’s social life, have significant roles in constructing one’s identity. Maria Luisa and Tito are the first people whom Rose has socialized with. The kindness and mistreatment from parents would remain ingrained in child’s mind and impact his/her life. Rose felt the motherly love from Maria while Tito didn’t leave any good memories, as Rose claims, “I only remember his impatience. How he’d push me away after a hug”(12). Furthermore, the fact that Tito had a mistress that brought Rose’s parents into a divorce also affected her. As the daughter of a father who didn’t give his love and even lied to her mother about his previous wife, Rose might has a bad impression of her father. Her disappointment about father image had reached climax point when her mom dated a temperamental man, Mr. Brown. Through these incidents, Rose might think that men are rude and egoistic. Rose’s interpretation towards men has changed and it could influence her future. Her lost of trust in men might cause a dilemma for Rose in having a relationship with man. Hence, family bonds strongly influence of one’s life.
My family influences me significantly. Being raised in a Chinese family, a strict conservative environment, it is normal for parents to discipline their children with corporal punishment. My mom used to hit and punish me with a rattan whenever I did something wrong. Her treatment traumatized me and developed a fear since I was young. However, the discomforts that I had in my childhood are paid off after several years. My neighbors acclaim me as a discipline and diligent boy because their children often sneak out in the middle of the night and cause them to have low grades in school. They said that it was their mistake of giving their child freedom ever since they are young. Unquestionably, if we were to be given too much freedom in our life, we would not grow up to be a responsible adult as we would always find another way that please us. Our parents lived longer in this world; therefore they know what is the best for us as they know that it will benefit our life in the future.
In Rose’s struggle as a Mexican, she met two great mentors who brought up her self-confidence back again. Her meeting with Mrs. Rojas caused huge impacts on her personality in looking for her own self. Guilbault states,” [the] seeds of self-worth, acceptance, and pride in who I was were planted so subtly that I didn’t even realize they were growing until many years later, when I found them rooted inside me” (86). Mrs. Rojas was a Mexican American teacher who also had painful humiliation by her peers, but now she stood out as an amazing teacher. Looking at Mrs. Rojas’ life journey, Rose may introspect herself that being born as Mexican does not mean that it limits her to show her excellence. If Rojas can, why can’t Rose? Rose’s talent in writing was developed by Edith Winslow who work on Rustler Herald newspaper. She hired Rose to work as a journalist. Rose had an excellent performance and people start to recognize her. When society accepted the existence of one’s self, alternatively it will boost up one’s self-confidence. The appreciation of the society towards her work boosted her morality and encouraged her to do an even better job.
When I was 4 years old, one of my teachers scolded me as a dumb student. It leaves such a very depressing impression in my mind and it still affects me today. All these years, I have improved on my performance in school. However, I still consider myself as a mediocre student. When people praise me “ you are great ” or like ”you are smart”, I always deny it with “no, you are too much. I am not that good”. I experienced this back in my secondary socialization and it influenced me significantly as I grew up with that thought deeply ingrained in my mind. Up to today, I have the tendency to underestimate my own ability, but I always bear in mind that the incident happened in the past and who I am today will be a better person.
The presence of a lover in someone’s life undoubtedly can change one’s character and personality. Rose had her first date with Jimmy, a young soldier. To Rose, having jimmy as a male acquaintance meant more than just a friend and even best friend. Rose might discover herself turning from nobody to somebody. Since she has no siblings, Jimmy is Rose’s shoulder to cry on, when she is sharing her problems. Having a romantic relationship can make us to be a better person since he or she understands us more rather than we ourselves do. He or she can see the part of us that we never knew. Our lover is the person whom we share our problems with and ask for his or her opinions. My girlfriend always supports me with positive words when I face difficulties and she influences my life. She comments on my bad personality and behaviors and hope I can change it. A good relationship happens where the couple talks like best friends, play like kids, argue like husband and wife, and protect each other like siblings.
Environment we lived in, family, teachers and friends are the agents of socialization. Every moment that we had with them influence our identity. The interactions between them are the process when our individuality is shaped. As time goes by, we meet new people who have different attitudes and it might changes our behaviors as well. People’s identity can be reformed over and over again without any limitation. Accept the good things and leave the bad ones. Good memories will increase one’s confidence while bad experiences will lower it down. Ourselves are strongly constructed by people around us and so do yours.
1 comments:
Reading rose’s story gives me inspirations to reflect my self. I learned that in our life there are agents of socialization that affect our identity. Every person we have met since we were born influences how our identity is shaped. Before I write the essay, I flashed back my life and I feel that family is the most influence because it is the first time when our identity is constructed. Friends are in the second place because there are the members of our society. Our life is strongly affected by the society.
I didn’t get a good score in this essay.I got exactly the same score as my first in class essay. I understand what the author is saying when reading but looking at my score I shocked! Currently I still upset about it. I spend most of my two-weekends only for doing this essay. The result that I got is much lower than the amount of the effort that I gave. The teacher comments on my focus and organization in each paragraph and then the flow of it. I need to go to his office hour and ask how to improve it.
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