Gender, Immigration, Relations: A Comprehensive Analysis of Marita by Sandra Cisneros

This thesis explores Sandra Cisneros’ Martita (2021) and delves into three interconnected themes found in the book which are supported by extensive research and scholarly articles. The first chapter, “The Challenges that Come with Being an Immigrant Woman,” explores social exclusion, job-related hardships and the factors contributing to these phenomena with a focus on racism faced by Corina, one the protagonists. In relation to social exclusion, the chapter also delves into the connection between low salaries poor housing and residential segregation. Ending on a more positive note it underscores the reasons behind the protagonists’ choice of moving to France which can be summarized as them wanting to follow their dreams, proving their resilience in spite of difficult living conditions. The second chapter, “Human Relations in a Migration Context,” examines the deep bond between the three women, who become each-others’ support systems. It also addresses their relationships with men, which are almost entirely negative, highlighting issues of exploitation defined through Machismo. Since male misconduct is examined, the chapter also focuses on victim blaming, a common practice that excuses the perpetrators’ behaviors and places the blame on women, enabling men to avoid taking accountability. Additionally, with Latin culture being an integral part of the thesis–considering Cisneros’ Mexican origins and how they are often present in her characters, the Virgen-Puta dichotomy will be examined explaining why Latinas are expected to fulfill the roles of mothers and wives, often nullifying themselves. Latinas’ view of sexuality while discussing the dichotomy will be essential to trace the path to their emancipation. The chapter ends with an analysis of how the protagonists, each in their own way, found independence. The final chapter, “Searching for Roots in a Foreign Country,” focuses on the significance of finding community, the acculturation process and what it entails for both immigrants and their children. On one hand children have an easier integration process than their parents as they have access to education and usually grow up in the host country which gives them more opportunities to socialize. On the other hand, they have more difficulty reconciling the two cultures they grow up with. This will lead to the exploration of the role of language in defining identity followed by an analysis of Paola’s way of speaking English as an Italian woman. Linked with this theme, some of the most common mistakes made by Italians when learning English will be addressed to underscore the difficulty of learning a new language both as a student or immigrant. Lastly, the chapter explores how Cisneros utilizes narrative strategies such as multilingualism, code-switching and code-mixing to deepen her storytelling and vividly convey the authentic linguistic experiences of immigrants.