Aria

1.        What is an “aria”? Why do you think Rodriguez chose this word for his title? Is it appropriate and/or effective?

a.        An aria is a long piece, with accompaniment, featuring a solo singer or melodic line. Rodriguez likely chose this word for his title as it reflects how he sees his life within the public sphere. He likely sees himself the solo and the public as the accompaniment. It is very effective as it connects with his focus on sounds within language and contributes to the sense of isolation in language he establishes.

2.        How do the first four paragraphs appeal to ethos?

a.        In regards to ethos, the first four paragraphs illustrate the lack of knowledge and the isolation that Rodriguez felt as a child. It demonstrates Richard Rodriguez's integrity in the subject he is writing about as he was placed in a situation where in his childhood consisted of his struggle in language. He shows this in such descriptions as he states he was "able to understand some fifty stray English words" (1), that his classmates were "children of doctors and lawyers and business executives" (3), and especially as he states the "first time I (he) had heard anyone name me (him) in English" (4). These descriptions illustrate the wide language barrier that Rodriguez had to face in his childhood due to his lack of understanding in English which in turn establishes his authority in bilingual education.

3.        Describe the tone of paragraph 5 where Rodriguez first raises issues of bilingual education.

a.        The tone in paragraph 5 is one of skepticism and spite. It is evident that he doesn't believe that bilingual education can preserve or promote all that is says it can in terms of language as he calls such a "scheme" (5). His description in stating that such "trivialize(s)the nature of intimate life" (5) further demonstrates his spiteful tone.

4.        Why does Rodriguez emphasize the sound of language? Is this an appeal to logos, pathos, or both? Explain.

a.        Rodriguez emphasizes the sound of language as in his childhood it was the only way he could possibly start to understand English, because he didn't understand words he picked up on the full meaning in how people talk rather than what was stated. This an appeal to both pathos and logos as it is an emotional connection Rodriguez made with language in the intimacy of communication as well as the logical understanding of words that would later come to replace his focus on sounds.

5.        How would you describe Rodriguez's attitude toward his parents? Does it change from one point to another? Identify specific passages.

a.        Initially, Rodriguez is very fond of his parents because they speak Spanish with him, which reminds him of home and a sense of security. He says, “And we happily sounded that military drum roll, the twirling roar of the Spanish r. Family language: my family’s sounds. The voices of my parents and sisters and brother. Their voices insisting: You belong here. We are family members. Related. Special to one another. Listen! (pg 313)” Rodriguez’s sense of comfort comes from being somewhere he felt a part of, home and with his family. But, as the family starts speaking more English the communication becomes less personal and mundane. His father became quieter and he was told that was the way his father was but Rodriguez did not agree. He says, “But my father was not shy, I realized, when I’d watch him speaking Spanish with relatives. Using Spanish, he was quickly effusive. Especially when talking with other men, his voice would spark, flicker, flare alive with sounds. In Spanish, he expressed ideas and feelings he rarely revealed in English. With firm Spanish sounds, he conveyed confidence and authority English would never allow him. (pg 318)” Rodriguez’s resentment isn’t toward the shift in his father’s demeanor but rather the culture he was stripped of that silenced his true self.

6.        Where in the essay does Rodriguez present his most straightforward argument. Is it effective? Would it have been more effective if it had been placed nearer the beginning? Why?

a.        Rodriguez presents his most straightforward argument when he states "Intimacy is not created by a particular language; it is created by intimates." (55) It is effective where it is placed as it synthesizes the points Rodriguez makes throughout his essay; however it may have been more effective if it was placed near the beginning. In this way, his argument would have been established and more coherent, it seems the overabundance of counterargument and repetition of experiences seems to dull his argument in a sense that is not helped by the placement of his central claim.

7.        What are the major counterarguments Rodriguez addresses: (He does not address them all at once; identify specific passages).

a.        One major counterargument Rodriguez makes is that, "children loose a degree of "individuality" by becoming assimilated". (43) To this end, he argues that a sense of individuality is gained rather than lost; one of public identity. Another counterargument that is addressed by Rodriguez is that, "students like me (him) miss a great deal by not being taught in their family's language". (25) He addresses this in stating that what is lost is the intimacy of language rather than the educational benefits implied by supporters of bilingual education.

8.        Who do you think is the intended audience for this essay? Cite specific passages to support your viewpoint.

a.        I believe the intended audience is mainly for supporters of bilingual education that may not see his point. Continually he states that the experience he had with language was intensely personal, "my society". (14) In addition he isolates himself from the public he sees in calling them "los gringos in power." (18) In both isolating himself and describing his personal experience with language, coupled with the plethora of addressing counterarguments it logically follows that Rodriguez is most likely trying to illustrate his argument to supporters of bilingual education.

9.        What is the the tone in the final paragraphs (beginning with par. 69)? How has the tone changed (or not) from the tone in the rest of the essay? What would have been the effect on Rodriguez’s argument of eliminating these last paragraphs?

a.        The tone in the final paragraphs is nostalgic and reflective as he describes "the last time I (he) saw his grandmother". (73) The tone is less spiteful and fearful as the rest of the passage. The tone in the final part of the essay serves to show how his personal language was the only way to illustrate the nostalgia and heretical value of his grandmother. Without this shift, the pathos that the last part appeals to would be lost and the argument would not be nearly as strong or revealing.

10.     Fill in the blanks:

The general argument made by Rodriguez  in "Aria" is that_________________________. More specifically, Rodriguez argues that ______________________. He(select appropriate verb from verb bank here), "_______Direct Quote Here_________." In this passage, Rodriguez is (select appropriate verb from verb bank here) that ___________________________. Thus, Rodriguez's belief is that _______________________.

The general argument made by Rodriguez in "Aria" is that personal language and the value it holds cannot be recreated by the system of bilingual education that is in place. More specifically, Rodriguez argues that He( develops the idea that), ""Intimacy is not created by a particular language; it is created by intimates"(55)" In this passage, Rodriguez is (justifying the idea ) that the very value that bilingual education serves to save is being destroyed by the lack of knowledge in the intimacy of language that proponents of the system hold. Thus, Rodriguez's belief is that his personal language can never be recreated or preserved by anyone but his own family and that the idiosyncrasies of his family and language are the cornerstones of his identity .