Becoming Latina, Becoming Americana: Shifting Identities in Lara Rios’s Chick Lit

Authors

  • Maryam Mazloomian University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • Raihanah M. M. University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • Shahizah Ismail Hamdan University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Abstract

This article examines the process of acculturation in two female members of a Mexican-American community as represented in Lara Rios’s chick lit novels: Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps (2006, 2013) and Becoming Americana (2006). The examination of the two chick lit novels is conducted on a trajectory of ecological systems of development as well as in the light of the psychosocial attitude, self-image, expectations and assumptions about becoming Americana or the reverse. The two heroines who reportedly met each other by chance narrated the turning points in their lives, experiencing the developmental passages through which their attitudes, beliefs, intentions, feelings had been assiduously expressed towards age, gender, family, friends, job, ethnic background, as well as, the desire to become American and/or relapsing into being Latina. The article also points out that secure transition through the psychosocial developmental stages demands the trust in self, feminine power, and the culture within the surrounding society in diaspora. Furthermore, the deeper aspects of the host culture require ‘firm feelings’ and ’self-confidence’ as important constituents of becoming Latino-American.  Keywords: Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems of development; acculturation; diaspora; Mexican-American chick lit; Lara Rios

Author Biographies

Maryam Mazloomian, University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

 Block B, 13A, 9 Juta Mines Condominium,Jalan Tamin Permai1, Balakong,Seri Kembangan, 43300 Serdang,Selangor D.E., MALAYSIA+60147343364*corresponding authorMaryam Mazloomian has a Master’s degree in World Literature at the University Putra Malaysia (UPM) and is a Ph.D. student in Postcolonial Literature in English Studies at the National University of Malaysia (UKM). This article is a part of an ongoing thesis on Heterogeneous Landscape of Western Chick Lit.

Raihanah M. M., University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

School of Language Studies and LinguisticsFaculty of Social Sciences and HumanitiesNational University Of Malaysia (UKM)43600 Bangi, Selangor D.E., MALAYSIA+603-89216471/ 6548 (Academic Office)Raihanah M. M. (Ph.D) is Associate Professor at the School of Language Studies & Linguistics, National University of Malaysia. Her research areas include minority fiction, Muslim diaspora, and SOTL. 

Shahizah Ismail Hamdan, University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

School of Language Studies and LinguisticsFaculty of Social Sciences and HumanitiesNational University Of Malaysia (UKM)43600 Bangi, Selangor D.E., MALAYSIA Shahizah Ismail Hamdan (Ph.D) teaches Literature and Popular Culture at the School of Language Studies & Linguistics, National University of Malaysia. Her research interests include Science Fiction and Posthumanism as well as Gender and Popular Culture.

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Published

2015-09-22

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 3 (2015)

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Articles

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