Jesse

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Soto, Gary. 1994. Jesse. San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Company. ISBN 9780152403296

PLOT SUMMARY

During his senior year in high school, Jesse leaves home to attend community college and live with his older brother, Abel.  The two brothers experience economic hardship and struggle to find their place in the community.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story takes place during the Vietnam War.  Although Jesse is too young to be drafted at the beginning of the story, the threat of the war is always in the background.  It will be helpful for readers to have background knowledge of the war, but it isn’t necessary.  The Chicano movement in California is also heavily featured throughout this story.  Knowledge of this movement will be helpful as well.  The story will be less meaningful for readers who are unfamiliar with César Chávez or Dolores Huerta.  There are several political references throughout the book and a working knowledge of these concepts will be useful.  Soto expertly addresses these issues in addition to the poverty that Jesse and Abel, like other migrant workers, faced.  Although this story is a work of fiction, Soto clearly explains an important time in Chicano history.

Because this protagonist in this story is male, male readers may identify more with this story than female readers.  Despite the difference in time periods, Jesse is a relevant character to young readers today.  Many of my students have experienced hardships similar to those experienced by Jesse in this story and will easily be able to relate to Jesse.  The history of the poor, Latino, migrant worker is not a story often written.  Jesse fills a gap and is a valuable story.

Jesse takes place in southern California.  The setting is important because there was a large Latino population in the area during the 1960s and1970s.  In addition, migrant workers played an important role in the agricultural economy of California.  Poverty is the most prevalent theme of this story, but other themes include the themes of prejudice, tolerance, and the importance of family. 

Soto includes cultural markers throughout Jesse.  Soto has expertly woven them into the story and they absolutely authenticate and add to the story.  The most obvious cultural marker is the addition of Spanish phrases throughout the story.  The meanings of the phrases are obvious in the context of the story and non-Spanish speaking readers will understand them.  The addition of these Spanish phrases accurately depicts how common it is for bilingual people to switch between languages.  Additionally, many of the words are slang (such as gavachos), and are indicative of a lower socioeconomic class, such as the characters in Jesse.  Many of the foods mentioned in the story are traditionally Hispanic.  For example, Jesse and Abel’s mother often makes them tortillas throughout the story and Jesse is eating mole on p 57.  Other non-Hispanic foods are mentioned using their Spanish name. such as huevos.  Although most descriptions of clothing are traditionally American (bell-bottoms, turtlenecks, etc.), Soto’s descriptions of Jesse’s friend Raul include traditionally Mexican clothing, such as huaraches and a serape.  Raul is involved with the Chicano movement so more traditional clothing fits his character well.  The absence of this traditional Mexican clothing for the other characters shows that not all Mexicans are constantly wearing serapes. 

Jesse is a beautifully written story.  Although the absence of hope was an accurate sentiment for many people similar to Jesse, I found the ending to be sad.  After connecting with a character, it was disappointing to realize that Jesse was unlikely to better his situation.  This feeling, however, makes the reader realize how many people are stuck in similar situations, with little opportunity to improve.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book: “Soto captures Jesse's tentative forays into adulthood and depicts the lives of Mexican Americans in southern California during the Vietnam War era's cultural and political turbulence. A moving, engrossing novel that has strands of both humor and despair.”

Kirkus Review: “The mere depiction of this teen's life, and his attempts to better himself, are a far greater indictment of racism and class distinction than any finger-pointing sermon could be. A satisfying and enlightening story.”

School Library Journal: “Readers looking for a finely written, contemplative narrative will appreciate this work.”

CONNECTIONS

The following coming of age stories will appeal to readers who enjoyed Jesse:

Sandra Cisneros. The House on Mango Street. ISBN 0679734775

Gary Soto. Buried Onions. ISBN 0152062653