Transcript La Bamba

La Bamba
Authentic Culture
In Lak’ech
Neo-Valdezian Cyclical Time
Bob as the source
of authentic culture
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Associated with icons: motorcycle (an Indian),
snake imagery, tatoo (symbolic of Jesus
Christ), leather—signs of working-class
masculinity.
Fusion of three characters: Pinto, Aztec Warrior
and Pachuco.
Vehicle for the Southern migration: northern
California, San Fernando Valley, Mexico—
Similar to mythic Aztec migration from Aztlan to
Tenochtitlan.
Vehicle for Authentification: language, (speaks
Spanish) culture (through his Tata) music.
Bob as authentic culture, cont.
Agent for the rediscovery of Mexico.
 Knows Spanish, resists Anglocizing
Richie’s name (Valenzuela to Valens).
 Problematic for three reasons: pathological
relationship with women may be
regarded as normal, culture is viewed as
static—romanticizes folkloric aspects,
and In-between”ism”(Bob) (Chicano)
as deviant and pathological
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Aspects of In Lak’ech
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“Tu eres mi otro yo” You are my other me.
Bob as problematic/deviant: drugs, alcohol, abuse of
women, gang affiliation, aimless and without
responsibility, rebellious, envious, the “evil other.”
Richie as the good boy: school age, connected to family,
responsible, shares newfound wealth, famous,
conformist, likable (for mainstream audiences), clean,
as a symbol for assimilation (through music and
Donna).
Bob as Tezcatlipoca (Azttec/Toltec God of War and Sun),
negative attributes.
Richie as Quetzalcoatl (Universal symbol of the Feathered
Serpent God—renewal, rebirth, culture and spring.
Neo-Valdezian
Cyclical Time
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Richie’s nightmare of plain crash—foretells
his death at the peak of his popularity.
The snake talisman: symbol of rebirth, renewal—
comes to Bob before the crash
Richie’s rebirth through: association with Bob,
spiritual and cultural rebirth, in the southern
migration.
Richie’s rebirth occurs simultaneously with the
birth of Bob’s daughter (Brenda)—Bob’s
restoration.
Bob and Richie: their relationship normalizes
toward the end.