Reading Comprehension

PT105 · S3 · P3 · Q20 Hispanic-American Writers

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Despite the great differences among the cultures from which we spring, there is a trait shared by many Hispanic-American writers: the use of a European language, Spanish, transplanted to the Western hemisphere.

Topic

The tension in Hispanic-American literature between two competing impulses: cosmopolitanism (engaging the European/mainstream tradition) and nativism (returning to one's own peoples and dialects).

Framework

Highlight Noteworthy. A Hispanic-American writer (the author writes in the first-person plural — "We Hispanic Americans") frames the literature's defining tension and argues that the two opposing tendencies are ultimately reconciled in the writer's daily practice.

Main Point

Hispanic-American literature is shaped by a back-and-forth between cosmopolitanism (looking outward to European/mainstream forms) and nativism (looking inward to native peoples and dialects); contemporary writers live with this tension and try to reconcile the two.

P1: The two opposing tactics

Hispanic-American writers in Spanish have tried to break literary dependency on Spain through a "twofold movement": adopting European/North American forms (cosmopolitanism) while also describing the U.S. and giving voice to its Hispanic peoples (nativism).

P2: The tension shows up in criticism

Examples: a Mexican-American novelist praised for European technique but faulted for lacking Mexican-American content; a Cuban-American novel praised for vivid daily-life portrayal but faulted for "rough" form. The same work is judged by both standards.

P3: The tension also shows up over time

Periods of outward-oriented experimentation (the 1918–1930 avant-garde drawing on European movements) alternate with periods of return to peoples and colloquial dialects.

20.

Based on the passage, the author's attitude toward nativism in Hispanic-American literature is most likely

enthusiastic support
Too Strong
It's just a little too much to add the "enthusiastic" modifier to support. The author spoke of cosmopolitanism and nativism almost as necessary evils. That's too negative, but the author's gist was sort of, "This is the complex recipe we have to deal with." Also, support is not the best word. The author is recognizing within himself and his community that there is this constant interplay between cosmopolitanism and nativism. It's more like he accepts the nativism he feels within himself and within his culture. But "enthusiastic support" sounds more proactive, like the author is encouraging other people to be nativist.
18% picked this
Correct
general approval
Why this is right
Since the author thinks that nativism is needed for Hispanic Americans "not to disappear into the mainstream", he generally approves of the fact that it's one half of the duality Hispanic American writers wrestle with.
Skill tested: Author's Attitude · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.
70% picked this
reluctant acceptance
Out of Scope: reluctant
In picking between (B) and (C), we're sort of asking ourselves, "Is this guy happy with the fact that Hispanic Americans attempt to reconcile the opposing tendencies of cosmopolitanism and nativism?" When he says that "the challenge they confront each day" is balancing their need to be cosmopolitan with their need to be nativist, is he saying, "Sighhh. I reluctantly accept that this is our fate" Or is he saying, "Yes, this is what it's all about to be a Hispanic American writer." The latter seems more plausible. The author is writing a passage to let us know what Hispanic American writers are all about. Given that he counts himself among them, if we pick (B), we're thinking that the author has general approval about himself. If we're picking (C), then we're thinking that the author reluctantly accepts himself. LSAC would assume an implicit sense of self-esteem or self-approval, unless otherwise stated. We're not allowed to just assume someone only reluctantly accepts their identity, if they haven't told us they struggle to accept it.
10% picked this
strong skepticism
Contradicted
The 2nd to last sentence of the passage makes clear that the author thinks that nativism is one required half of being a Hispanic-American writer. Nativism prevents these writers from "disappearing into the mainstream". So the author considers it a positive force that is counterbalanced by another positive force, in cosmopolitanism.
1% picked this
clear disapproval
Contradicted
The 2nd to last sentence of the passage makes clear that the author thinks that nativism is one required half of being a Hispanic-American writer. Nativism prevents these writers from "disappearing into the mainstream". So the author considers nativism a positive force that is counterbalanced by another positive force, in cosmopolitanism.
1% picked this

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