Torn between the two lands of his heritage, Richard Rodriguez struggles with a seemingly impossible decision: he had once harbored a belief that the two opposing cultures could reconcile their differences, so that he could adopt the ideals of both states. Unfortunately, that hope has long since faded away, and Rodriguez must now decide where his allegiance truly lies. Should he revert to his idealist boyhood nature and champion the liberal individualism of young California, or should he forever remain a cautious middle-aged man and embrace the conservative traditions of old Mexico? Is Rodriguez doomed to forever tarry in irresolution"

Rodriguez's description of California mirrors his hopeful optimism. He describes California as a land for starting anew, for maintaining youth, and for succeeding through individualism. During the "boy's chapter" of his life he had strongly supported the opportunism that California so ardently embodied. Even though he only directly...