ENG 1141
Creative Writing
Formal Critique
Reviewer’s Name: Sarvinoz Erkinova
Title of Piece:
“Pendeja, You Ain’t Steinbeck: My Bronca with Fake Ass Social Justice Literature
Author’s Name: Myriam Gurba
| 1) plot I enjoyed the plot because it discusses a ton of serious matters, for example culture appropriation by the author Jeanie Cummins. As well as the very unrealistic point of view that author has towards that race as well as the country. And how one person’s greed and ambition could mean the destruction of people’s lives or the delivery of false hope. Plot question: What was the backlash after such an article towards the book? 2) voice and style I enjoyed the voice and style of this article because the writer Myriam Gurba made it feel so authentic. And not to mention, she made it feel sincere. It’s as if her heart was to grown hands and fingers and start writing this piece. I could sense the rage as well as the sense of injustice she has in her heart. Questions about the voice and style. By using Spanglish in the article, the main target audience for this article were Latin american people? 3) point of view I found the POV to be very enjoyable because it shows how media and a few books could completely alter how people view something. And we see that in the article for example, Jeanie Cummins portrays Mexico as a country of crime and crime only, and she then proceeds to portray the United States of America as a safe haven when it’s almost the complete opposite. Rapes occur pretty often, murders, kidnapping, school shootings, etc. The size of the country makes the people less likely to know about these incidents, and media portrays Mexico as bad when sometimes it’s not the case at all. Every country has the bad and has the good. Nothing is all good and perfect. Why didn’t she mention how beautiful Mexico really is and talk about it’s beautiful culture? 4)dialogue I really enjoyed the dialogue, the dialogue found in this article is incredible. It opens people’s eyes to the variation in opinion, as well as point of views. it shows the strangers the side of the story, as well as the person who actually lived to tell the tale. A person who is getting their sources from the media as well as other people most likely share that same opinion, and the counterpart who experienced the horrors and beauties that situation had to offer. A question about dialogue. Why didn’t the writer Myriam Gurba share more of her own experiences? |
Hey Sarvinoz, I agree that Myriam’s review was authentic, she was really deep into what she said, the style of her writing was very emotional and truthful, she did not look after the consequences. Only tried to deeply get her point though the world, and stand up for her culture. Backlash would mostly be when Cummin was trying to convince everyone that she is Latin, but does not help.
Hello Sarvinoz Erkinova, you have a very good way of analyzing Myriam Gurba writting, the details, the purpose and the demographic target.
Do you agree with Gurba approach with her choice of words ?
Hi Sarvinoz, I enjoyed how you worded the importance of the number of serious issues mentioned in this piece, I personally did not even see it that way so thank you for opening my eyes to that. Speaking of opening others’ eyes, I agree with how she mentions the point of view of not just her but also of Cummins, even though she was evil in Gurba’s eyes. Other Mexicans may not feel the way that she felt when reading “American Dirt” and she may have a handful of other white people agreeing with the reasoning behind Cummins making the book in the first place. And I agree with how you mentioned the media and other books like the one Cummins made can alter a persons’ opinion on certain situations whether it is a serious one or not.
Hey Sarvinoz I enjoyed your critique. I agree with you when you mention in your point of view why couldn’t Cummins write about about how beautiful and the culture of Mexico. There were so many topics she could’ve written about but instead chose to write based on the stereotypes of Mexico
Sarvinoz, great response. I too enjoyed the dialogue that the author included in her piece of writing. Her bluntness in the way she dismisses the American generalizations that the book American Dirt portrays Mexicans as, catches the reader’s attention. It makes the reader stop and think about why she is very angry with the statements that were made about her people. Additionally, her dialogue helps build the plot, something I found very unique.
Hey Sarvinoz, I agree that Gurba put her heart and soul into writing this article. You can feel her passion through the words she uses. I also agree that Cummins’ spotlight on only the bad things that happen in Mexico is terrible. It only adds to more stereotypes being formed.