The Somebody
In the first few lines of Danny Santiago's story, "The Somebody," the reader is told that Chato lives in east LA, where Chato's specific urban background seems to be related to his decision of becoming a "writer." The thought of an individual from such a background making an achievement in their life is simply out of reach and mocked throughout the story. This gives the setting for the author's portrayal of Chato as an individual who "writes" his name to make him a "Somebody." His lost of a gang, minimal attention from a household leads him to write his name on places like fences, playgrounds, markets and liquor stores to feel noticed in his "barrio" or neighborhood. The author uses Chato's life situations to give an impression of Chato as an individual who needs to feel like he is "Somebody." After telling his father that he was quitting school, his father felt that Chato did not want to become a lawyer and defend the Mexican people. A remark like that gives the reader the impression that the father feels that there is no hope for his son. The son feels that he is being laughed at and mocked, he also feels that he could be dead and his father would not take him serious. The author portrays the father as clueless as to what his
The importance of being in a gang is another reason why Chato needs to feel like somebody. That is why Chato writes his name, and includes "de Shamrock", which is the name of the street where he lives, and also the name of the gang he belongs to. The lost of his gang is very important to Chato because he feels without your gang you are a person with a lost cause or a nobody. So in order to keep his status of a "Somebody" Chato must try his best to keep his gang alive. This is expressed when he says "In the old days they wouldn't dare to come on our street but without your gang you're nobody." Chato writes in certain places for territorial rights, which is a major gang activity. Places like Forney Playground, the tennis court, swimming pool and in the gym. Also Chato manages to keep his gangs arsenal of weapons. From this the reader is able to see that Chato the only one left in his gang desperately holds on to what he calls "the good old days" where he felt his gang was on top of the world in order to feel he is a "Somebody." son needs. This gives the impression that the neighborhood where Chato lives is no place for high expectations for his son. Santiago's perception of Chato's background is one of a poor family, and the neighborhood believes that you can't be what you want to be because of where you come from. Also related to a lack of attention within his household he feels that his house is too crowded and seeks attention from his mother who is busy with taking care of the babies. In the line, "Sometimes my mother asks me to hold one for her but it always cries, maybe because I squeeze it a little hard when nobody's looking", this shows resentment that Chato has for the babies that are stealing his attention fro
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1167
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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