SOURCE: Schiavone, Sister James David. “Distinct Voices in the Chicano Short Story: Anaya's Outreach, Portillo Trambley's Outcry, Rosaura Sánchez's Outrage.” The Americas Review 16, no. 2 (summer 1988): 68-81.

In the following essay, Schiavone contrasts the short fiction of Rudolfo Anaya, Portillo Trambley, and Rosaura Sánchez.

A new vitality, both stylistically and thematically, is evident in the contemporary Chicano short story through the distinctive voices of Rudolfo A. Anaya, Estela Portillo Trambley and Rosaura Sánchez. Energetically diverse writers, who distinguish themselves in exhibiting a clearly-defined commitment to artistic craftsmanship, they have demonstrated great individuality in modes of narration, structural organization and thematic concerns. Each writer has brought a unique tone to the short story: Anaya's persevering expression of outreach, Portillo Trambley's persuasive outcry for freedom, and Rosaura Sánchez's penetrating outrage.

In examining the work of the authors, certain discoveries present themselves. Anaya's outreach is toward man's sense...