Using
the Postcolonial and Proletarian theories of literature, we are able to examine
the story “Speak No Evil: Melancholy of a Space Mexican.” The title itself
assumes that someone is being silenced and implies that his words would only
cause someone something bad. The setting is in a place far away from the
protagonist’s family and culture. The first line “Like many migrant workers…” indicates
that the people are forced to undergo the split-dimensional surgery for the
sake of work. Even though “The process
was quick and painless,” this is a comparison to how colonization is first
presented to colonies. Colonizers would silence the people and make them
believe that it is for their benefit, saying that it would be “safer” for them.
The word “safer” also indicates that danger is still possible. There is also a
random line “Don’t touch me” in the story while the surgery was ongoing. It is
vague whether the Mexican’s family member or the doctor said it, but both
indicate the lack of feeling towards each other of the two characters.
It
is said that the blocks are kept on Earth, indicating that the workers’ freedom
of speech, which may represent freedom itself, is just housed and trapped in
their homeland. Even if the mouths are regularly fed and can freely breathe
clean air, it is still for the advantage of the corporation (the controllers)
since they would be able to save money used to care for the masses. The song that
united most of the workers, “Besame Mucho,” indicates that most, if not all of
them, are Mexican. They are united by something that the colonizers will never
appreciate.
Having
taken up basic Spanish courses, I noticed that the translation from English to
Spanish of the lines used in the story was not correct. These intentional mistakes can mean three
things. First, it may be that the translator around the boss’s neck is the one
that simply made the mistake, which is highly unlikely. Second, it is the
boss’s thoughts about the Mexican that came out instead of the sugarcoated
words he wanted to say. Third, it may be what the Mexican thought he heard or
anticipated to hear, since he already has the strong perception that people
like him are always insulted by those who are in a higher position. Calling
someone Húmedo-Espalda (wet-back), a derogatory word
used to call an illegal immigrant in the United States of America, could be the
highest insult. Add to that being previously called a perro (dog). On the other hand, the bad effect is still on the
worker, and the authorities are not affected at all by the rebellion of one
person. Even though the Mexican has now finished working in the mine, the
impact is still felt. The struggle is still there. This is the same in
post-colonization. Everything is affected and everyone knows who the colonies or
lower people are. The lower class will continue to be colonized--an illustration of a cyclical
process of experience.
(Submitted in partial fulfillment of English 11 under Prof. Rapunzel Tomacder)
February 2012
