Mexican American Literature: The Politics of Identity

Mexican American Literatureis the first book length study to focus on what is arguably the most important period in the development of Mexican American literature, the Chicano Movement of the 1960s. It offers an extended analysis of Chicano and Chicana identity politics over several decades through readings of some of the major works of contemporary Mexican American literature while exploring the Movement's historical, political and conceptual effects. The book examines the identity of politics in Chicano and Chicana literary and political texts dating from the 1960s to the present day. Offering original readings of the works of several major figures of the Chicano Movement and the canon of contemporary Chicana writing, it brings together a broad range of legal, political, geographic and cultural concerns. Its approach it also covers a large part of the historical map of the Mexican American experience in the United States from colonization and annexation, to civil rights and contemporary developments in Chicano and Chicana political identity.
Mexican American Literature is an important contribution to the study of Mexican American literature. The careful consideration given to the politics of identity in a number of key literary works illuminates the way in which literature reflects and incorporates political ideology in a way no other critical work on this subject does. Crossing several disciplinary boudaries, this book will be of use to those studying literature, history, feminism and politics.

Presenting an up-to-date critical perspective as well as a cultural, political and historical context, this book is an excellent introduction to Mexican American literature, affording readers the major novels, drama and poetry. This volume presents fresh and original readings of major works, and with its historiographic and cultural analyses, impressively delivers key information to the reader.