Early Works: Actos, Bernabe & Pensamiento Serpentino
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Book Overview
Drama. EARLY WORKS: ACTOS, BERNABE AND PENSAMIENTO SERPENTINE is three books in one: 1) a collection of one act plays by Valdez and the famous farmworker theater, El Teatro Campesino, 2) one of the first fully realized, full-length plays by Valdez alone, and 3) an original narrative poem by Luis Valdez. In the first part are collected the original, improvised works of El Teatro Campesino that deal with the exploitation of Mexican farm labor in the California fields, the discrimination found by Mexicans in the schools, and Mexicans being turned into cannon fodder by the U.S. Army in Vietnam. Bernabe is a touching, Lorcaesque poetic drama about a town fool's enchantment and ultimate unity with the earth. Pensamiento serpentino is a long, philosophical poem, based on Mayan thought and cosmology, which analyzes the cultural, religious and political circumstances of Mexican Americans and prepares a metaphysical framework for their future.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1558850031
ISBN13:9781558850033
Release Date:January 1990
Publisher:Arte Publico Press
Length:199 Pages
Weight:0.66 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 5.8" x 8.3"
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
Full of Life!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
The plays are reflective in countless ways! You learn something very new in a unique theatrical way about the Chicano Movement. Very profound in my sense and comical at the same time. Valdez goes pretty deep towards at the end as mush as he does at the opening of the book. I had fun reading this book for my Chicano theatre class this spring, and I hope everyone gets a chance to read and understand it to.
Outrageously funny, deeply humane
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
As a teacher, the plays in Los Actos continue to be amongst the most effective literature for student participation and discussions about stereotypes, human rights, social struggle, and utopian thought. Righteously funny, these plays were originally performed at the Delano Grape Fields and urged farmworkers to strike for fair pay and housing. Valdez worked closely with iconic Chicano leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. Although the plays are written bilingually, the stage directions and dominantly English dialog make the play's themes easily accessible. I would urge all teachers interested in teaching about social justice to try these plays in class and urge readers in general to experience Los Actos. Readers will, hopefully, find them funny, moving, and educational. The plays help us understand a time and place, and non-Chicanos are introduced to important cultural themes and concepts, such as Atzlan.
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