Critical Review

Critical Review

Abstract

The Memoirs of Bernardo Vega: A Contribution to the History of the Puerto Rican Community in New York is a historical connotation of the lives of the Puerto Ricans. The book in use is the edited version by Cesar Andreau Iglesias, and the translation done by Juan Flores. It entails the life of one Bernardo Vega, who comes to New York in the year 1916 from his country of Puerto Rico. According to the book, he was among the first immigrants before the mass arrivals of other subsequent migrants. The protagonist- Bernardo Vega, uses his day to day activities and goings to paint a concise picture of the goings during the migrant era. The book or rather, the memoir provides the readers with a good perception of what transpired during that particular period.

Bernardo Vega, who is a cigar maker by profession, takes the readers through the hardships these immigrants went through, both on the political aspect and their working environments. An intellectual persona, Bernardo, highlights the growing numbers of the immigrants and their involvement in political movements while at the same time providing a concise image of the Puerto Rican ways of life. The stories of uncle Antonio in the book gives a clear envisage of the history of the Puerto Rican communities.  The communities which existed in the past and also those present in New York. The writings also provide specific perspectives on urban history, the relations among the ethnic groups present, and the deeper context into the issue of immigration during the given time.

Introduction

The book proves to be an essential text in the historical context. The writings of Bernardo provide accounts that are more vivid and accurate thanks to its protagonist. Providing eye witness accounts indulges the readers to a better and understanding of the ideas it aims to capitulate. The texts bear a trustworthy trait to its audiences as it entails a somewhat real setup. Albeit being in the old days, it still brings the notions of the persona to the readers as first-hand information. Since it bears an element of truth, its audiences can gain a sufficient understanding of the ideas the book aims to bring forth. The words are from the persona’s historical association, and since he lives at a particular time, they evoke a sense of belief to its audience. The book requires an in-depth dissection of the texts to determine its core ideology; hence this is a critical review of the book to aid in better understanding of its notions, identify the strengths and weaknesses and its literary genre.

The book’s literary genre is a memoir rather than an autobiography. It is essential to identify the critical differences between the two. The memoirs are written based on an individual’s memory, and the autobiography requires one to use facts and researches to bring out accurate dates of particular events. Bernardo Vega uses his mind to bring out concise pictures of what transpires in the book.  He recollects the past life and present, and then he writes them down. Albeit, traversing through various geographical settings while he remembers his memories and thoughts, Bernardo can vividly recall the ongoings of the life he has had and what he wishes to have. Through the inclusion of Uncle Antonio’s stories into the context, Bernardo, brings another aspect into the memoir. He portrays himself as a listener and a learner of his historical past. Uncle Antonio’s stories give the readers an insight into the lives of his people and through him. The book also bears a less formal approach to cementing its identity as a memoir of Bernardo Vega. He often resorts to humor while depicting his life. “All in all, I suppose I was rather ugly, though there were women around who thought otherwise” (Vega & Juan, 3) show his humorous side of the book.

Main ideas in the book

A critical review of the book requires a deep intuition into the life and readings of Bernardo Vega. Several ideas are presented in the book without mainly majoring in one. The stories in the book hop from one topic to another in its attempt to cover many ideologies. The primary thinking presented by the book is the historical context of the Puerto Ricans. Hailing from Puerto Rico, Bernardo centers his text on the ancient and the present (his present) of his country of origin. Throughout the time he is in New York, he cannot fail to keep up with the existing conditions in his country.  Although he focuses on the immigrants as a subject, the ideology elicits the need to understand the heritage that belongs to the Puerto Rican people. When I was Puerto Rican, it emulates the context of Puerto Rican history in recent times. It highlights the present lives of the Puerto Ricans in a memoir of on ‘Negi’ as a young child. Reading through the two texts give the readers a better understanding of what has transpired over time and how it has shaped current Puerto Rico. The stories told by his Uncle Antonio show a more profound knowledge of the ancient times of the Puerto Rican people. The time and time feeling of wanting to go back home signify the strong ties that the people have towards their origins. “Here, I must insert a very personal note: I married a Puerto Rican girl. This, of course, has nothing to do with anything” (Vega & Juan, 99) Marrying another Puerto Rican- although he sarcastically shuns it. A more in-depth look implies he needs to feel at home even away from home.

Another ideology presented in the book is the plight of the immigrants in New York. Their problems run right from racism, jobs, and the cruel winters. The incoming of Bernardo Vega to New York presided over an impending influx of immigrants. The poverty levels of these people were dire, and they did get enough money to survive despite them having jobs. “One day, I found Pepe gloomier than a rooster after a cockfight. I tried to console him, but he just broke down, crying his heart out. The job was even more unbearable for him than it was for me. He got sick and gave up” (Vega & Juan, 19). The jobs they took up were horrible, and one had no means to survive. Hopping from one task to another did not help at all. At one point, Bernardo speaks of an explosion that occurred in a cigar factory that he had just left. This showed the risk these individuals took to ensure that they got something to live off and survive on. Jobs were full if insults by their foremen and their dressings of rugs further exemplify the dire situations the immigrant workers suffered from. Security was also a concern in their areas, and often fights broke, and theft reigned in their homes—he talks of the stolen clothes leaving them to suffer without any clothing but rugs. The great depression saw many immigrants suffer from the fall of the economy, there were fewer jobs, and the pay was low for survival. This was a torrid time for an immigrant worker.

The immigrants themselves are conversant with the politics in their communities. The book also talks about the political dimensions in the United States, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Bernardo is involved in debates with the Cuban immigrants about the politics of their countries of origin. This signifies the knowledge of the current events going on in their countries. The labor unions are also springing up to work for the immigrant workforce alongside the existing political offices. Luisa Capetillo, in her writings: ‘Mi Opinion’ shows an activist who sought to empower women while also advocating for the workers. Being a jibaro, she promotes women to wear pants (La Greca, 167). In a colonial setting, the country of Puerto Rico and Cuba are deep in war with their colonialists. “On August 5, 1947, the United States Congress granted Puerto Rico the right to elect its governor” (Vega & Juan, 231). Independence in Puerto Rico at last, and with that, the United States took up changes with the emergence of the movements calling for a third party. The essential factor was that this particular third party would be headed by an individual who had the sympathy of most of the immigrants.

Over time an ideology of gentrification is heralded by the Puerto Ricans and other immigrants moving towards the newer neighborhoods. Through time the influx of the immigrants was high despite the raging war. The Puerto Ricans also began to flourish and grew in businesses and, in the end, pushing out the Jews who lived amongst them. The populations were swelling, and the houses were a problem at the point; hence the exiting Jews paved the way for the large numbers of Puerto Ricans to move into the more significant and cleaner houses. ‘Negi’ and her rise from poverty to better living conditions, having risen through the hurricane Santa Clara and the imperialist their family manages to get better living conditions (When I Was Puerto Rican Study Guide).

The overall representation of the memoir is brought about entirely. However, the subject of politics that is present in the book brings forth many fallacies to answer the opinions which it bears upon its readers. Being a memoir of Bernardo Vega, it is expected that the texts that are represented are those which he lived through. The political context that is presented in the book bears no impact on the life of Vega. This can thus be easily considered a collective ideology (Barradas, 313). The information of Uncle Antonio also represents a particular historical context, but it leaves many questions. Most of the events he highlights are authentic, and there is no way to confirm that whatever he is saying belongs to him or the past Puerto Rican history.

Strengths of the book

The book takes up a memoir, and thus brings forth a more realistic and trustworthy look to the reader. Using the context of an eye witness to recount all the happenings allows the readers to partake the book to be based on truthful content. It brings out the historical timestamps correctly, albeit from memory. The use of various characters to broaden the stories in the book also gives it a more expanded look into the events during the period (Barradas, 313). The language took up by the book also provides the reader with a more fundamental understanding of the ideologies presented in the book. It flows perfectly for the reader, switching from one scene to another without losing its credibility.

Bernardo Vega’s humorous nature also riles up the readers’ mood giving them a break in between the book. Written directly without several literary contexts also gives the readers a straightforward approach to particular topics and thus improving understanding. It takes up a less complicated approach in its wording and thus bringing a better understanding of the ideas being conveyed by the book

Weaknesses of the book

One major flaw of the book is that it was edited by another individual other than the original owner, Bernardo Vega. This means that the books may have been re-written or some parts of it removed. This creates the idea that the book lacks originality and makes the readers question the credibility of the texts. The book also provides a broad focus that is not in line with ‘a memoir.’ It is often considered that a memoir uses its historical events, which occur in the presence of the author. Vega, however, takes up a broad perspective, which gives the user the sense that it is not a personal memoir. The events recounted by the Uncle tell of historical contexts that bear no mechanism to prove as there is no history of the happenings in Puerto Rico.

Conclusion

The book ‘Memoirs of Bernardo Vega: A Contribution to the History of the Puerto Rican Community in New York’, is an intuitive text into the life of its owner while presenting the various ideologies. Concerning the books: When I was in Puerto Rico and Mi opinion. There is a clear understanding of the Puerto Ricans and their lives over time. In its texts, there are several important information that holds the Puerto Rican historical contexts and the impacts of the high numbers of immigrants in New York. Being one of the immigrants, he takes up an eye witness center-stage to bring up a concise image of the plights that they faced during their times. The book also talks about the political setting during those times. Several notions can be drawn from the book, all concerning the Puerto Rican histories and their people. The book holds necessary information about the Puerto Rican communities.

Works cited

Barradas, Efrain. “How to Read Bernardo Vega.” The Commuter Nation: Perspectives on Puerto Rican Migration (1994): 313.

LaGreca, Nancy. “A Bilingual Edition of Early Twentieth-Century Puerto Rican Feminist and Workers’ Rights Advocate Luisa Capetillo’s Hybrid Essay” Mi opinión”(1911).” (2007): 166-168.

NLP Guest Commentary: The Bernardo Vega Memoirs Mystery, myemail.constantcontact.com/NiLP-Guest-Commentary–The-Bernardo-Vega-Memoirs-Mystery.html?soid=1101040629095&aid=YatWg8q1whQ.

“The Fundamental Differences between Memoir and Autobiography.” Differences between Memoir and Autobiography – Author Resources, www.liferichpublishing.com/AuthorResources/Nonfiction/Differences-Between-Memoir-AutoBiography.aspx.

“When I was Puerto Rican Study Guide.” Course Hero. February 7, 2019. Web. March 12, 2020. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/When-I-was-Puerto-Rican/>.

Vega, Bernardo, and Juan Flores. Memoirs of Bernardo Vega: A Contribution to the History of the Puerto Rican Community in New York. Monthly Review Press, 1984.