The Devils Spine: Maria Venega’s

The Devils Spine: Maria Venega’s

Maria Venega’s article, “The Devils Spine” which appeared in the spring, 2012, issue or Ploughshares, describes the experience of Maria, a four year old Mexican girl who is trying to cross the border into the United States. She describes the route as a living hell. She is given a new name in which she has no other choice but to adopt and learn. Maria is a young girl who is confused and terrified, too young to still understand the full picture of what is happening and too little to have to adopt a new name. Having to adopt a new name at such a young age is confusing, but a name does not make nor define a person.

Each human has there own personality regardless of what there name is. Although Maria name does not define her, it does give her a significance of who she is. The name we are given or choose to have is the image we will give to others and will be the word that is referred or addressed to us. Daniel Aguilar born is Los Angeles, California but raised in Mexico. Daniel’s mother is American and his father is Mexican. Daniel’s nickname was Nay for many years when he was young. Even though Nay was only his nickname, he knew Daniel was his birth name. Daniel, a common and short name, who’s last name origin from Spain. In English or in Spanish, Daniel’s name will never change and is a easy name to pronounce. Daniel is the name he has adopted, and will be the word he will be referred to his entire life.

Maria Venega’s articles leaves us much to think about. It tells us how Maria has to live through so much at such a young age, even having to learn a new name for herself, just because it will be easier to pronounce. In many cases and for many people a name is just a word that has no real meaning. For others, a name is sacred and even defines their personalities and who they are. The article does not favor whether Maria is okay with her new given name or not. But anybody at such a young age, having to forget there name most be a huge thing. Although Maria’s new given name will not change or define her, it will be a memory that will mark her for life. At such a young age, having your name taken from you is not okay with anybody.

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