Los Vendidos Analysis Culture Clash consists of a group of comedians, playwrights, performers, and combinations there of. This groups strives to create plays that discuss social and political issues and embrace different cultures. One of the plays that fell under that category, and helped influence the creation of Culture Clash, is Los Vendidos. Los Vendidos, is a play written by Luis Valdez in 1967, was created help to communicate a message to audiences about how Mexicans are often viewed and/or treated in America. Valdez communicates this message by using a wide variety of well-known Mexican stereotypes. Although this topic may seem like it would create a very serious and political storyline, it is actually quite the opposite. Los Vendidos
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These are tactics used by Valdez, and the members of Culture Clash, to help deliver a message to the audience while also incorporating the element of comedy. When you think of a stereotypical Mexican, what do you think of? Is it a man working in the fields or a man who is associated with some kind of gang? Or maybe it is the romantic hero type that you see on TV shows or in movies. All three of these character profiles are often associated with Mexican people so that is why Luis Valdez used them in this play. He goes into depth with each one of these characters and uses specific examples that showcase the many stereotypes that are associated with each personality. For example, when advertising the farmworker, the Honest Sancho has him perform tasks such as cutting grapes as well as picking cotton and melons to prove that he is hardworking. He also says that the farmworker comes with a wide-brimmed sombrero for “an extra added feature.” It is also stated that all the farmworker needs as payment is one plate of beans and tortillas each day. These are all attributes of a stereotypical Mexican farmworker who will go through …show more content…
It adds to the fact that many people think of other races as less than human. However, at the end of the play, when the models reveal themselves as actual people, that is when the message of the story is truly exposed. It is also revealed at this point in the play that the Honest Sancho is a robot. The Honest Sancho character represents the kind of people who are willing to sell out their own culture just to get ahead. He also represents people who think they can control others with a simple snap of their fingers. Because of this soulless and emotionless personality, the Honest Sancho is the true robot. By relating the characters to robots, Valdez wants the audience to be able to recognize that Mexican’s are humans too, even if they don't fit the expected criteria that is set by many Americans as well as the US government. This tactic that Valdez used was very well thought out and was used to help portray the play as a comedy rather than another typical serious political
These are tactics used by Valdez, and the members of Culture Clash, to help deliver a message to the audience while also incorporating the element of comedy. When you think of a stereotypical Mexican, what do you think of? Is it a man working in the fields or a man who is associated with some kind of gang? Or maybe it is the romantic hero type that you see on TV shows or in movies. All three of these character profiles are often associated with Mexican people so that is why Luis Valdez used them in this play. He goes into depth with each one of these characters and uses specific examples that showcase the many stereotypes that are associated with each personality. For example, when advertising the farmworker, the Honest Sancho has him perform tasks such as cutting grapes as well as picking cotton and melons to prove that he is hardworking. He also says that the farmworker comes with a wide-brimmed sombrero for “an extra added feature.” It is also stated that all the farmworker needs as payment is one plate of beans and tortillas each day. These are all attributes of a stereotypical Mexican farmworker who will go through …show more content…
It adds to the fact that many people think of other races as less than human. However, at the end of the play, when the models reveal themselves as actual people, that is when the message of the story is truly exposed. It is also revealed at this point in the play that the Honest Sancho is a robot. The Honest Sancho character represents the kind of people who are willing to sell out their own culture just to get ahead. He also represents people who think they can control others with a simple snap of their fingers. Because of this soulless and emotionless personality, the Honest Sancho is the true robot. By relating the characters to robots, Valdez wants the audience to be able to recognize that Mexican’s are humans too, even if they don't fit the expected criteria that is set by many Americans as well as the US government. This tactic that Valdez used was very well thought out and was used to help portray the play as a comedy rather than another typical serious political