The universal "growing pains" that all children experience.

             in one form or another are easily recognized in Richard.

             Rodriguez"s autobiographical excerpt from Hunger of Memory. .

             Rodriguez"s childhood was particularly unique given the fact.

             that while he was born and raised in the United States, he.

             was strongly influenced in the ethnic environment of a.

             Spanish family. Although the reader is introduced to only a.

             short excerpt from the autobiography, he learns a great deal.

             about Rodriguez"s family and his relationship to it, his.

             conflict of speaking English versus Spanish, and the.

             paradox that became evident as he used English as his.

             primary language. Furthermore, the reader learns that.

             Rodriguez"s experiences have contributed to his beliefs that.

             a bilingual education is harmful.

             First of all, Richard Rodriguez came from a family.

             where his parents had been born and raised in Mexico. After.

             moving and settling in America, Rodriguez"s parents gave.

             birth to him and his siblings. Rodriguez refers many times.

             to "los gringos" , a colloquial, derogatory name charged.

             with "bitterness and distrust" with which his father.

             described English speaking Americans. This evidence made it.

             apparent to the reader that definite animosity existed.

             between his parents and the society around them. .

             Resultingly, assimilation into the American culture was not.

             a very comfortable process for his parents. Despite this,.

             the authors parents created a comfortable haven for him and.

             his siblings in their adopted country. The author shares.

             with the reader how close and tightly-knit his family was.

             He describes in numerous instances the "special feeling of.

             closeness" that he shared with his family. He also mentions.

             the fact that he used to feel a "desperate, urgent, intense".

             feeling of wanting to be home. Spending time at home,.

             speaking his "personal" language of Spanish, and being with.