In this blog post, I will be discussing my analysis of the first three pages of Chapter 1 of “The Borderlands” by Gloria Anzaldua. The subject of Chapter 1 is entirely concerning the US-Mexican border, which is pictured above. The stark contrast between the two countries is undeniable. Anzaldua immediately brings attention to this contrast while pointing out that there is a new “border culture” that has been created, a grey area where the two cultures clash and mold together.
She utilizes several different forms in her writing to shed light on these issues. I will be discussing the different purposes these forms have in Chapter 1. She begins with a quote in Spanish which sets the tone for the chapter. The chapter is titled El otro Mexico which is also the beginning of the quote presented. I do not know Spanish so the meaning of the quote is lost to me, but the quote still gives context on the writer. It shows that her ties to her culture are still strong and that her writing is not only intended for English-speakers. Throughout the rest of her writing, she continues to mix Spanish with English, which I believe emphasizes her point that two cultures can clash and can also coexist. How did you guys interpret the mix of the two languages as well as the beginning quote? Perhaps, to those that know Spanish the interpretation is different.
The form that I found most interesting in these first three pages is her poetic form. It begins with
Wind tugging at my sleeve
feet sinking into the sand
I stand at the edge where earth touches ocean
where the two overlap
a gentle coming together
at other times and places a violent clash.
In the first stanza, she sets up the rest of the poem to discuss the border in terms of a clash yet coexistence between ocean and land. 
I believe the first stanza creates a sense of hope despite the issues currently occurring at the border. That there is a future where the two cultures can peacefully coexist, a world without distinctions. She shows she has a deep connection to the ocean with these lines
my heart surges to the beat of the sea
and
the tangy smell of the sea seeping into me
From those lines, I began to question why she was comparing herself to the ocean. What were some interpretations of this that you had? It became clear to me towards the end of the poem with
But the skin of the earth is seamless.
The sea cannot be fenced…
that she made this connection because she is showing her defiance and strength. She wants to show that she cannot be fenced in and that her culture will not stand for it. She also is emphasizing the fact that naturally, the planet where we reside is a continuous balance between land and ocean, there is no seam. Humans were the ones to create this concept of distinction and this is not the proper way to live.
What do you believe is the purpose of this poetic form in the chapter or writing as a whole? Do you think the poetic form benefits or distracts from her overall message? Why do you think she has chosen to use multiple forms in her writing? Is it to create more freedom for interpretation?
English 4W: Transnational America 