Question

If we leave out our tortillas – and by that i mean the language, history, cultural values and themes of our literature – the very culture we’re portraying will die. publishing has often forced us to do just that. trade publishers who control publishing in this country continue to have a very narrow view of the literature of this country. —"take the tortillas out of your poetry," rudolfo anaya anaya uses the word "tortillas" as a symbol for ✔ mexican american culture . what is anaya claiming by choosing the word "tortillas"? publishing companies do not appreciate mexican american culture. trade publishers force authors to do what the rest of the country wants them to do. mexican american culture has to be part of mexican american literature to remain alive.

Answer 1

Anaya uses "tortillas" as a metaphor for Mexican American culture to claim that trade publishers often exclude vital cultural elements from literature, risking the erasure of the represented culture. The integration of diverse cultural themes by American authors enriches American literature, demonstrating the need for an inclusive literary representation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rudolfo Anaya, in using the word "tortillas" as a metaphor in the context of literature and culture, is highlighting the importance of preserving and representing Mexican American culture within literature. Anaya is communicating a claim that publishing companies, particularly trade publishers, often pressure authors to leave out essential cultural elements such as language, history, and themes reflective of their ethnic backgrounds. This forced exclusion results in a narrow representation of literature in America, undermining the authenticity and survival of the very culture that is portrayed. According to Anaya, without integrating these cultural components, the represented culture within American literature is at risk of being marginalized or erased over time.

The evolution of American literature, however, shows an increasing recognition of diverse voices. American authors of different ethnic backgrounds, such as Alice Walker and Leslie Marmon Silko, utilize their cultural heritage to enrich the landscape of American literature.

Anaya's metaphorical use of tortillas argues that the vibrant and multifaceted nature of American literature depends on the inclusion and hearty embrace of cultural diversity, reflecting America's true social fabric.