Kendal Walton
Dr. Klass
ENC 1101
5 Oct. 2009
The Effect Of Our Surroundings
most of the time compressed into them unwillingly and unknowingly. Every second of every
Reinvented Americans, Rodriguez portrays his own life as a remarkable example of how
culture shapes identity. If Richard were like normal people, when asked what ethnicity category
he fell under, he would most likely respond that he was Mexican…or better yet, Hispanic.
Instead, Richard replies with an answer that you would never expect. “I am Chinese”, he
declares. Although Rodriguez’s ancestors may have in fact been Mexicans and he might
seem to have the appearance of a Hispanic man as well, Richard’s lifestyle has nothing to do
with that of the Hispanic culture. Rodriguez resides in a Chinese city located in a district of San
Francisco. He has become accustomed to colors such as lime greens, rose reds, and pumpkin
shades that color the houses lining the streets of the city. Normally, if a person was not Chinese
these colors would appear to be a bit tasteless, but to Richard’s understanding they are a
display of what is beautiful. The author is so familiarized with the Chinese lifestyle that when he
surrounds them every day.
“Culture is smoke. You breath it. You eat it.”(123), Rodriguez states. In ways, this quote can be
taken figuratively and literally. Of course Richard doesn’t actually mean that people can smoke
wrong with the habit eventually adopts thatlifestyle as well. On the other hand, perhaps a
influences the person to never even think about touching a cigarette in their life. However, I
believe this is only a minor example of what Rodriguez is depicting. No matter where someone
inscribe on a bumper sticker. A significant case of this is evidently revealed when immigrants
migrate into the United States. “One doesn’t get up in the morning, as an immigrant child in
states. After interpreting the quote, it’s...