I am Joaquin written by Rodolfo Gonzales is an epic poem regarding the Chicano movement in the United States during the 1600s. Gonzales uses free verse poetry perhaps to emphasize that throughout the Chicano history there is no set guidelines; rather life is rather unpredictable and has no set pattern to follow. The focus of the poem follows the idea of identity, who someone is with regards to now only now, but also how their past relates to them. By using metaphors to relate the speaker to historical figures he emphasizes the importance and impact those figures have not only on his cultural past, but his present problems today.
The speaker of the story begins speaking about himself in his original language, Spanish, to demonstrate that while he may be American, he is first and foremost Mexican and that his culture and background is more important or of the same importance as being American. In the beginning of the poem the tone takes a rather bitter and resigned quality. The speaker uses phrases such as “shed tears of sorrow”, “sow seeds of hate”, and “withdraw” to illustrate the struggle he and his people are going through. As the poem moves on the tone takes on a prideful quality. The speaker is listing his predecessors and is proud of the actions they took to protect and fight for their people. He speaks of great leaders and says he is them. Using the metaphor “I am…” throughout the poem tells the reader that while he is not actually that actual person, he is drawing strength and courage from their actions to fight for the Chicano movement. By telling the historical stories, the speaker is indicating that the Chicano history is important and should be remembered and revered. Their culture has something to give not only to their people, but everyone else could learn something from their history as well. The historical figure Joaquin Murrieta stuck pretty significantly in the fact that he is the Robin Hood of El Dorado. When hearing Robin Hood, people are given the impression of someone who fights for their people. Who does not give into suppression, but rather will do anything to help others in need. The speaker is fighting for his culture, he is saying he will not give up and surrender to American influence, his people have an identity and they will fight to keep it. The line “They dared to face the force of tyranny” indicates how strong the historical figures are and how they people look up to them, to strive to be like them. Almost towards the end the poem takes on a sorrowful quality as the speaker tells of the oppression they are facing. He uses distinct phrases to convey the feeling of hopelessness and devastation, “My culture has been raped” or “My land is lost.” Despite the terrible outlook, the poem takes on a prevailing tone. The speaker will not give up; he will persevere as his ancestors did before him. The lines “I am Joaquin. I must fight and win this struggle for my sons, and they must know from me who I am” illuminate the idea of never giving up; rather he will fight for what is important. The last two lines of the poem are in capital letters to indicate how important they are in the epic poem, “I SHALL ENDURE! I WILL ENDURE!” The speaker will not stand by and let his culture and people be brushed under the rug in American society.
Gonzales wrote his epic poem I am Joaquin to not only describe Mexican American relations, but to also give hope and courage to the Mexican people to fight for their culture. To not be sucking into the mixing pot and lose part of what makes them who they are. By the speaker stating that he is the historical figures, he is indicating how his past is part of his identity today and influences his actions. The focus of the historical figures was on the conquerors and fighters rather than on artists or peacemakers. If Gonzales used more peaceful or artistic examples in his poem rather than the more violent would the imagery and influence of the poem change? Were the more violent historical influences needed to get his point across?
