Between mexican and chicanos: the marks of diaspora in the novel Los dos compadres by Justo S. Alarcón

Abstract

The diaspora, a migratory effect that represents the displacement of a people to the one or more destinations, is the subject of this work. Our goal is to identify and analyze theoretical conceptions involving borders, identity, in addition to relating these and more issues of belonging, home and place in the book “Los dos compadres: cuentos breves del barrio”, by Justo S. Alarcón. The work is done by dialogues between two elderly, who are participants of the diasporic effect and reflect on the problematic and the migratory consequences. The results reveal that the book "Los dos compadres" is an artistic expression that gives voice to the sentiment of the Mexican people who live in the United States. Identity, economical, political, home and place aspects, as well as the usage of spanglish are consequences of the diaspora highlighted in the book. In addition, the conversations held by the characters at San Lazarus Park in Phoenix, Arizona highlight the transculturation in the second generation of the diaspora, in which descendants of Mexicans adopt characteristically United States habits.