The Book of Unknown Americans Book Analysis Essay Sample

Imagine arriving in America with only a trash bag full of things and riding in the back of a truck to a place that is safer than the previous one. This is a typical day in the life of an immigrant. Cristina Henriquez's 'The Book of Unknown Americans' chronicles the journey of numerous immigrants coming to the United States. Alma, whose family is emigrating to America, and Mayor, a Panamanian American who has lived in Delaware for most of his life, are the protagonist characters in this novel. Along the way, we get perspectives from minor characters in the story that share their own stories about their experiences immigrating to America for various reasons. The Rivera family moves into the Redwood apartment, where they encounter a number of immigrants from South America who have come to the United States in search of a better life or opportunities for them. The novel is written in the first person to allow the reader to experience the emotions that each of the characters in the narrative has felt. This narrative has a lot of different concepts. Identity, cultures, and belonging are three of the most important. Throughout the novel, the immigrant experience is highlighted by many of the characters and their sense of identity, belonging, and culture. 

Rafael tries to integrate his Panamanian identity with his American one as he integrates into American society. Rafael Toro immigrated to the United States with his family to get away from the civil unrest in Panama and give his sons a better and safer life. “The guy said that he hoped my dad didn't expect them all to kiss his feet now and remind my dad how humble Panama was.” (pg.81) This highlights how Rafael assimilates into American society. Rafael says that they are now Americans after learning how his classmates treated him on the phone saying that he was royalty moving to America. His anger towards them causes him to not visit Panama again although his wife Celia yearns to go back to her home to visit once again. As a result, he had accepted America as his new home. Once Rafael and his family became Americans, they haven’t once returned to Panama due to Rafael's dislike of returning back to a place that he won't be able to recognize. “We’re Americans now. We’re citizens, and if someone asks me where my home is, I say Los Estados Unidos. I say it proudly. Of course, we still miss Panamá. Celia is desperate to go back and visit. But I worry what it would be like after all this time. We thought it was unrecognizable when we left, but I have a feeling it would be even more unrecognizable now. Sometimes I think I would rather just remember it in my head, all those streets and places I loved. Because a place can do many things against you, and if it’s your home or if it was your home at one time, you still love it. That’s how it works.” (pg.23) Rafael remarks on how much he misses his homeland of Panama but points out that they fled due to civil instability, so he can only assume that returning to it would be quite different from his youth. As a result, he now declares America to be his home, and he is pleased to name it his new home.

Micho talks about how Mexican stereotypes are placed on Mexicans and how it affects them deeply as human beings. Micho brings up an important point in this book that can relate to every immigrant that has come to America as he says “We’re the unknown Americans, the ones no one even wants to know, because they've been told they are supposed to be scared of us and because, maybe if they did take the time to get to know us, they might realize that we’re not that bad, maybe even that we’re a lot like them. And who would they hate then?” (pg.237) Micho Alvarez is a Mexican immigrant that lives in the Redwood apartments. He is a photographer who uses his talents for activist causes of immigration reform. He wants to reform to benefit immigrants. “And that's the problem, you know? These people are listening to the media, and the media, let me tell you has some fucked up ideas of us. All about brown-skinned people, but especially about the Mexicans.” (pg.236) This quote shows that immigrants are typically seen as threats by those who were born in America. After that, he says, "You listen to the media, you'll learn that we're all gangbangers, we're all drug dealers, we're tossing bodies in vats of acid, we want to destroy America, we all have swine flu, we're lazy, stupid, and we're all wetbacks who crossed the border illegally." (p. 236). This indicates how the media portrays Mexicans to the people watching the news. By doing so, Mexicans are portrayed as terrible and unacceptable to America. He also talks about how the media portrays them to be seen as dangerous people as he says “I swear to God, I’m so tired of being called a spice, a nethead, a cholo, all this stuff.” (pg.236) It also shows how people have taught others and us to always fear those that cross our border. And as a result, we end up believing in the information that is taught to us coming from either books, the news, our education, and more. “And then there are a lot of people who come here because they actually want to try to do something good in this sentence.” (pg.236) Immigrants are people just like us who are trying to make a living and find a better place than where they originally come from. 

In our world, everyone is looking for a sense of belonging. It's just something we're all trying to figure out for ourselves. Arturo Rivera is the father of Maribel Rivera and the husband of Alma Rivera. He was born in Pátzcuaro, Mexico. He is an immigrant who came to America in search of a better way to assist his daughter. Immigrants like Arturo relocate to areas where they will have more opportunities. “Maybe it's the instinct of every immigrant born of necessity or of longing: Someplace will be better than here. And the condition: if only I can get to that place.” (pg.286) This relates to the theme of belonging as it talks about how an immigrant feels when coming over to different places that they go. They want to become a better place than the last. This also shows that immigrants come to new safer and better places for better or bigger opportunities. “I think about God sometimes, whether He’s watching us. Was this what He wanted? Was it all for some greater reason that I don’t understand? Were we supposed to come here, to the United States? Is there something better waiting for us here that God in His infinite vision we can see? Is there something ahead of us that will help all of this make sense finally? I don't know. I don't know the answers.” (pg.285) Isn't this how everyone feels when they first arrive in a new place? They wonder if they will ever find a place where they feel like they belong. Arturo's home is Maribel and Alma because he adores them and is prepared to risk his life for them. Maribel had brought the Rivera family to America in order for her to get healthy and obtain the care she required. “It's been difficult, yes, but I would do it all again. People do what they have to do in this life. We try to get from one end of it to the other with dignity and with honor. We do the best we can.” (pg.286) This remark exemplifies how people cope with their circumstances. It has been a challenging road for everyone to try their best in their lives to find their place in the world.

The story emphasizes the immigrant experience throughout by focusing on their feeling of identity, belonging, and culture. Rafael's acceptance of America as his new home and declaration that he does not wish to return to Panama causes him to doubt himself and his personal experiences. Micho brings up the preconceptions that are applied to all immigrants, particularly Mexicans, as well as how the media presents them. Arturo discusses the tough journey of an immigrant looking for a place to call home, and how they frequently question themselves, wondering if this is the right place for them. 'The Book of Unknown Americans' is a beautifully written book that showcases and shares the challenges of an immigrant attempting to live in America while also attempting to fit in.