Hunger of Memory

Education is one of the dominant themes in Richard Rodriguez’s Hunger of Memory: The Education of Richard Rodriguez. Education weaves through his memoir in both the literal sense–such as in the formal environment of school and university—and in a broader scope, including the lessons Rodriguez learned from his coming of age and experiences. The memoir traces how these are intertwined. Rodriguez is clearly an insightful and observant student from childhood.

He discusses key moments that shaped his life, grasping their importance even as a child. Education shapes Rodriguez’s identity from an early age. When he attends a Catholic school, Rodriguez has to learn English. This distanced him from his parents, who could speak passable English but spoke Spanish at home. This linguistic difference begins to shape Rodriguez’s identity, as school and family become separate places. Rodriguez eventually realizes that the distance between himself and his parents is insurmountable. He feels conflicted that his education, and English in particular, has alienated him both at home and in public. At school, he believes he is seen as a minority scholarship student. Teachers praise whatever progress he makes as nothing short of miraculous and take credit for his success.