Enrique post #3

In the last third of Enrique's Journey the tone is very candid, down-to-earth and factual. The author uses relatively short sentences which hit a point without much elaboration or opinion, instead simply stating the facts in a sometimes brutally honest way. "At home, four men drink. One can chug twelve beers as Enrique drives him home from work...On Saturday, the drinking begins at 4 P.M. Enrique and a housemate can down forty-eight beers together. Sometimes they drink until dawn. They head to work without sleeping" (pg 201). This use of short sentences is an effective method when writing non fiction, especially in such a heart-breaking topic as this. By stating only the facts of the situation in a blow by blow scenario it allows the truth itself to instate emotional impact, the reality is free to do what in another story would be illustrated by long descriptive and lyrical sentences. Another literary technique the author uses which reflects the frank tone, is her choice of words while telling the story. The words tend to be mainly simple and plain without complicated, fancy vocabulary. While describing a disappointing Christmas between Enrique and his mother she uses only plain language. "On Christmas Eve, Lourdes goes to bed early. Enrique goes out drinking with friends. He comes home late and drunk. The next morning, Lourdes gives her son a shirt. Enrique doesn't have a gift for his mother" (pg 203). By using only simple and to the point words the author says what needs to be said and no more, not only allowing the reader to fill in the emotional burden of such a difficult conflict for themselves, but in addition not taking the risk of trivializing a real and personal struggle by using an extravagant vocabulary. In the very first sentence of the Afterword, the author begins a very detailed explanation of many facts and general experiences of immigration in a larger picture. "An estimated 1.7 million children live illegally in the United States, most from Mexico and Central America" (pg 241). While in the process of unfolding an extremely harrowing personal account of a journey which is taken many times every year and the consequences which follow such a journey the author includes many informative facts about immigration in general. By providing the bigger picture the author allows the reader to take a step back from the one detailed story of Enrique and see the massive span of Enrique's journey and others like it. The facts help to put everything into perspective. In addition, the author leans away from showing opinions during conflicts such as those between Enrique and his mother, and Enrique and Maria Isabel. Not only does she show all sides involved and observations from others nearby but doesn't make comments that show which side she believes is right. In dealing with the distance that Maria Isabel and Enrique feel towards each other as time passes Sonia writes objectively. "She feels snubbed...Both are stuck in their pride. He hasn't hired a smuggler because she hasn't asked for one; she hasn't said yeas to coming because he hasn't hired a smuggler. They are drifting apart" (pg 222). The author creates a kind of protection shield for herself while becoming so involved in the conflict by stating the feelings of those involved rather than her own take on the matter. She also remains a fair narrator, allowing for anyone's opinions to be taken into account.Writing in a candid manner is very appropriate for the topic and entire purpose of the book. Enrique's Journey is designed to draw attention to a massive topic which while receiving plenty of input from politicians has become a two-dimensional issue consisting of statistics rather than the heart-wrenching tales of the individuals involved. By writing in a honest tone, if often brutally so, the author allows an extremely harrowing story to tell itself.
     My favorite part of the story is probably when Belky walks out onto the TV shows stage where her mother and brother are unaware of her having gotten a visa. In so much of the story the content is dark and depressing with so many set backs that having the three of them reunited is a wonderful contrast to everything else. In real life a happy ending is very rare and especially in such an unhappy tale it is unexpected and incredible that even though many things are still not set right and there is still so much pain and sadness in Enrique's life as well as the lives of those around him, Belky got to hug her mother just that one time.