Barefoot Heart

Matt Altstiel

10/19/05

Chicano Lit

From Walking Barefoot to Wearing Designer Shoes

In the first portion of Barefoot Heart, Elva Trevino Heart reflects on her early childhood and experience as a migrant worker in Minnesota and Wisconsin. While a personal memoir and auto-biography, Trevino places her self back to that time period without much reflection. Trevino simply seems to report to the reader the certain events that particularly stood out in her memory. This matter of fact tone and simple use of language perfectly mirror the time period of which she writes, childhood. Particularly interesting is Trevino’s own selective memories and including what was important for her at the time. Family, friendship, and experiencing love rank as the paramount interests and concerns for young Elva. Concerns such as social justice, working conditions, and attaining financial freedom do not emerge as central issues until later in the autobiography. Therefore, the novel follows a logical path: as the author matures, so to does the subject matter, the language and style of the memoir. Later in the novel, analysis is given and early events take on particular significance in defining her attainment of social and economic success.

One glimpses through the memories of Trevino the difficulties faced by migrant families. The constant cycle of movement, back-breaking labor and responsibility required of her parents left little time for affection and family bonding. The first portion of novel presents young Elva as a shy introvert who asks for and expects little. Life-lessons were imparted through hours of work and avoiding shame from society and within the family itself. However, Trevino’s situation it is made clear is in no way unique, and is imbedded in the experience of every migrant worker. Also apparent, without direct commentary is a certain racism that goes unchallenged, at least by the young Trevino. References such as segregated schools in Texas and a white family’s reluctance to allow their daughter to play with Elva clearly portray this theme. The first half of the novel does an excellent job laying the ground work for the transformation which occurs in the second and third portions of the book. The first half shows where Trevino has come from and makes the second half that much more impressive.