Literature of the United States

Chicano poetry

Chicano poetry is a branch of American literature written by and primarily about Mexican-Americans and the Mexican-American experience. The term «Chicano» is a politico-cultural term of identity specifically identifying people of Mexican descent who were born in the United States. In the same way that American poetry is comprised of the writing of the offspring of English and other European colonists to North America, so is Chicano poetry and literature comprised of the writing of the off-spring of Latinos who either emigrated to the US or were involuntarily included in the United States due to the Mexican-American War of 1848.

Pioneers and forerunners

Well known Chicano poets who were instrumental in creating a niche both in American and Latin American literature and developed an impetus were early writers such as Abelardo «Lalo» Delgado, Trinidad «Trino» Sanchez, Rodolfo «Corky» Gonzales. Delgado wrote «Stupid America», Sanchez wrote «Why Am I So Brown?» and Gonzales authored the epic «Yo Soy Joaquin.» Another early pioneer writer is the Poet/Painter and gypsy vagabond of the national community, Nephtalí De León, author of «Hey, Mr. President, Man!», «Coca Cola Dream,» and «Chicano Popcorn.»
Unifying concepts
These poems primarily deal with how Chicanos deal with existence in the United States and how Chicanos cope with marginalization, racism and vanquished dreams. Many Chicano writers allude to the past glory of the Mesoamerican civilizations and how the indigenous people of those civilizations continue to live through the Chicano people who are largely «mestizos», people of mixed Native American, European and African ancestry.

1.3 Theater with literature in the United States

Theater of the United States is based in the Western tradition, mostly borrowed from the performance styles prevalent in Europe. Today, it is heavily interlaced with American literature, film, television, and music, and it is not uncommon for a single story to appear in all forms. Regions with significant music scenes often have strong theater and comedy traditions as well. Musical theater may be the most popular form: it is certainly the most colorful, and choreographed motions pioneered on stage have found their way onto movie and television screens. Broadway in New York City is generally considered the pinnacle of commercial U.S. theater, though this art form appears all across the country. Another city of particular note is Chicago, which boasts the most diverse and dynamic theater scene in the country. Regional or resident theatres in the United States are professional theatre companies outside of New York City that produce their own seasons. There is also community theatre and showcase theatre. Even tiny rural communities sometimes awe audiences with extravagant productions.