Problem
There are many things that makeup who we are: race, ethnicity, religion, class, gender, and sexuality, and these often serve as the dominant symbols of who we are. But, as fully formed humans, with complex inner lives, hopes, and aspirations, we are all of these things at once, none of them always and sometimes we are altogether different things to ourselves and maybe others. In this final essay, you will reflect on your life as a gendered, raced, classed, and sexed body, and in this reflection, you will begin a dialogue with Richard Rodriguez's memoir. Think of your life up to this point, your goals, your present, the struggles and successes that you've had and about and reflect on the 'spheres' of you - these may include public vs. private personas, family, language. Education, beliefs/morals, race, professional goals, or others. You must cite and, engage with Hunger of Memory. You do not have to agree with Rodriguez but your paper should be in conversation with his work.
Part 1: Explanation
Introduce yourself and the characteristics or influences that you feel are most important in your life. This isn't to be a list, but rather a personal reflection on who you understand yourself to be.
a) Explain the different aspects or values of you
b) Why are these important?
Part 2: Exploration
Explore each of these areas/values more in-depth. Discuss how they contributed to your personality, why they are valuable.
a) Rodriguez focuses on these issues: family, language, education, beliefs/morals, race, and profession, and he separates them.
b) How have these traits brought you to where you are today?
c) How do you differ from Rodriguez, are there similarities?
Part 3: Analysis
What is the value of these traits? How will they take you through life?
a) Have you spent time reflecting on these influences? What did you conclude?
b) Do you think that you will change drastically over the next decade or two? Or have you reached a point where you don't think you will change anymore?
c) Have any of these influences led to difficult decisions or consequences?
d) Anything you are very proud of or wish you had done differently?
Part 4: Synthesis
Bring the above three parts together in this section Wrap them up by talking about the whole that these separate influences and characteristics comprise (YOU). Again, be sure your work has engaged with Rodriguez's writing.
a) How do/will you interact with society and your community during college and after because of who you are?
b) What are the ways that you might want to change or grow?
c) What are the aspects you want to maintain?
d) Explain how you might apply your conclusions to your life. This might mean the actions you take, a change in attitude, or plans to explore these issues further.