Warm Up Activity:
On a separate piece of paper answer the following question:
Is knowing the author's background important to your understanding of the text? Why or why not?
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The Author
Helena María Viramontes came into the world of East Los Angeles, California on February 26, 1954. From that moment on, her personal experiences and understanding of the multiple generations of Chicano families began to grow into what is now known as her framework in her various works of literature. She grew not only deeply rooted within Mexican-American culture, but in the library as well. In fact she loved to read, and often took the time to read people’s lives biographies, and books on the history of California (Heredia 166). Her fascination with people’s lives would later turn into a fascination of her people, and their experiences with the world around them.
Her fascination with reading and writing—particularly about her people and their lives did not start until she entered Immaculate Heart College: where received her Bachelors in 1975 in English Literature. Shortly after, her stories began to be published: first with “Requiem for the Poor” in 1977, then with “The Broken Web” (part of her collection of short stories) in 1978, and followed by “Birthday”(part of her collection of short stories) in 1979. In 1981 Viramontes decided to further her education and enrolled in a Masters of Fine Arts Creative Writing Program at UC-Irvine; however, she left the program when one of her instructors had an issue with her writing about the Chicano/Chicana experience (Mascaras). The very same three stories she had with her on the day she walked across the parking lot of UC-Irvine, (embarking on a academic hiatus) would then lead her to get those three stories—among four others published in her collection of shorts stories in 1985. After many more accomplishments she then published her first novel Under the Feet of Jesus in 1995, and Their Dogs Came with Them in 1996. She is currently working on her third novel Cemetery Boys.
In 1994 Viramontes finished her creative writing program and received her Masters degree; however, she was already a force to be reckoned with within the Hispanic community. Today, Helena María Viramontes teaches English at Cornell University teaching not only her students about the Mexican-American experience, but also every individual that comes across her literary work.