The struggles that Ernesto and his family had to endure on coming from an isolated community to a larger, unfriendly city forced Ernesto to look deep into his heart and realize that he wanted his children and family to have a better life than he did growing up. Barrio Boy by Ernesto Galarza, began with a description of child hood games and it ended with a description of the men leaving the village to find steady work to better their lives. Ernesto Galarza being the creative writer he was enhanced his book by adding his native language in the story.
In Barrio Boy by Ernesto Galarza, Galarza talks about families and the struggle with language barriers, adapting to the customs of the North American and how the children succeeded in school and also work. Ernesto describes life as he sees it, through his seven-year-old eyes. The rise of the Mexican revolution signaled the movement of many families north to the United States.
English: New York State Education Department build...
Ernesto at Grafton Cheese Company
Ernesto at the Big Indian #2Ernesto, his mother, aunt, and uncles were part of this movement.
The little town of Jalcocotan was like a remote island. The location of Jalcocotan was meant to give protection against outsiders. Jalcocotecanos never took things for granted. It was very hard on Ernesto's family having to move from city to city in Mexico. It was tough on his family because it was like they were starting their lives from scratch. Whenever they need something they had to ask a family members, a friend or even somebody they knew and hope for the best. As a young man Ernesto lived in a barrio. A barrio is a neighborhood within a city containing an underground society of young males who regarded the area as their exclusive territory.
"University of Notre Dame Press, (1971). The first edition was...