A Fringe Between Worlds

Amy McMicken

ENG 2600

Dr. Wrede

Critical Analysis Paper

10/22/2014

A Fringe between Worlds

‘Legal alien' written by Pat Mora. Mora describes via new criticism the life of an individual being a Mexican-American and the struggles that he/she faces in gaining acceptance within the Mexican, and the Anglos communities. It seems that no matter what, he/she is being judged in one manner, or another. All of the judgment seems to be making him/her crazy. The tone seems to be of one of indifference and frustration. No matter how much he/she strives to conform in both ethnic worlds, he/she won't ever be entirely accepted.

Although the poem may be describing the struggles of a Mexican-American in America, there are also struggles being addressed both mentally and psychologically. It seems that no matter how much he/she tries to conform to both sides of his/her heritage, he/she isn't measuring up to the standards that have been placed before him/her. Masking the truth of a perceived failure in achieving unity between two worlds.

This poem can be analyzed best by using the new criticism approach. Even though Mora may not have stated it clearly, this poem can be seen as a descriptive of her life as a Mexican-American in America. This poem is self-referential in the fact that it is describing Mora's life and how she hasn't been fully accepted by either the Anglos (English-Americans) or the Mexican communities. Even though she belongs to both ‘fringes' equally. (A fringe is a border that unites two sides together). It is interesting that Mora wrote, "between the fringes of both worlds" (18) instead of borders. As if in an earnest desire to unite two worlds into one as she hopes to achieve unto herself.

From the very beginning with the use of the hyphenations in line 1 "Bi-lingual, Bi-Cultural", we can see there is a separation of self and culture. Going on to describe how he/she can coincide linguistically in both American Mexican cultures. Then again in line 8 "American but hyphenated", again we see that he/she is separating himself/herself as if being divided by both cultures. In line 9 we see the unique use of the word ‘Anglos' in place of the word English, or English speaking people. This is a more formal dictation to use as if the narrator is stating that the English are more refined or worthy. Then in line 10 goes on to say "perhaps inferior, definitely different" goes on to indicate that there are some doubts about his/her Mexican lineage as being inferior to the "Anglos." However, the narrator has accepted the fact that they are definitely different. The use of the word ‘definitely' proves the definitive of the narrator's acceptance of themselves. The view that he/she isn't acknowledged in the Mexican culture either, as they are perceived as an ‘alien'. This indicates he/she is an irrelevant component within this culture. Then we are shown he/she is perceived Mexican with the Americans and American with the Mexicans. There is no middle ground. In line 16 addressing him/herself as a token not even a real form of currency. This indicates that he/she has no value or importance and so is the reason he/she is being passed back and forth between the "fringes of both worlds". In lines 19-21 we see that he/she continues to smile to the world, even though on the inside they are upset as they feel they are an outcast. Again in the two remaining lines we see more hyphenations, showing that there will continue to be discontent and a lack of recognition between cultures and what lies within himself/herself.

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