Relationship between literature, ehnicity and immigration - Essay Example

? Literature, Ethni and Immigration Outline Introduction Brief background and topic of the paper Discussion Role of literature, ethnicity, and immigration in society Relationship of the three social notions Analysis based on Tajfel’s theory of social identity Conclusion Literature, Ethnicity, and Immigration It is an observation that since ancient times, immigration remained a major activity of humans around the globe who used to travel from one region to another in search of food, shelter, employment, and several other facilities. In the result, this activity has enjoyed significant importance in every aspect of human life, and that is observable in huge amount of literature that indicates significance of immigration and its effects on different aspects of societies globally. This briefly allows the researcher to identify the relationship between immigration and literature, as the later one has always played the role of providing commentary regarding different cultural and social aspects related to the process of immigration during different eras. In addition, it is an understanding that literature has also been responsible for promoting or discouraging immigration in certain regions, and thus, both enjoy a strong relationship with each other. On the other hand, ethnicity is another imperative notion of human society that refers to the social concept that enables individuals or a group of people to identify each other based on language, culture, or ideology. In particular, analysis (Suls, pp. 33-38) has indicated that literature has been an important factor when it comes to ethnicity, as ethnic groups consider literature as one of their fundamental evidences to prove their ethnicity, and thus, literature and ethnicity exist in an interconnecting relationship with each other. Moreover, if one looks at the relationship of ethnicity and immigration, scrutiny of different sources has pointed out that immigration plays a crucial role in determining ethnicity of different group of people. For instance, when a group of people migrates from one country to another reason for any particular reason, the future generations of same group identify themselves in midst of two ethnicities, one existing in literature connecting them with their forefathers, and on the other hand, one existing in their society where they opened their eyes and grew up. In this regard, both literature and immigration are significant factors to contribute in alteration of ethnicity in a society, whereas, both immigration and ethnicity causes changes in literature, and similarly, literature and ethnicity has always become a reason of immigration in different parts of the globe. Therefore, it will be appropriate to state that all three notions of literature, ethnicity, and immigration enjoy a triangular relationship, where they interrelate with each other in different aspects. Examination of different sources (Suls, pp. 59-64) has indicated that literature related to immigration has always referred to historical and cultural models and techniques to understand its different features. In addition, literature and studies related to ethnicity have indicated dominance of similar models that indicates the relationship of the two with the literature. Another factor of their similar relationship with literature is their similar propensity towards ignoring social and cultural structures on micro or individual level. However, there have been instances where experts have suggested for a psychological scrutiny of different aspects of ethnicity and immigration and their impact on micro level; however, results have pointed out that both exist on macro level, and thus, majority of literature has indicated their construction as a macro component of human society. In order to understand the relationship of literature, ethnicity, and immigration further, the paper will now include analysis of the relationship based on theory of social identity by Tajfel (pp. 23-25) that will be effective in acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the notion. In particular, analysis of the theory (Tajfel, pp. 30-44) has identified utilization of ‘social categorization’ and ‘social comparison’ to discuss notions of perseverance (literature), identity development (ethnicity), and change (immigration). In this regard, one of the major reasons of choosing this theory as an example is its applicability on all the three notions that will be helpful in proving the relationship in focus. In addition, to acquire a realistic understanding, the paper will include example of Mexicans to ensure illustration of how the three concepts interrelate with each other. However, one can relate the notions with any ethnic group. Nevertheless, theorists and experts (Tajfel, pp. 56-68) have indicated that there is adequate evidence that points out social construction of ethnicity of Mexicans in the United States through acquisition of historical knowledge regarding Mexican history through literature. This indicates the fundamental relationship of ethnicity and immigration in the example of Mexicans, and experts believe that historical information in the literature has been responsible significantly for existence of different social procedures existing in the Mexican community in the United States. Nonetheless, the same theory identifies that construction of Mexican’s ethnicity has not been only the work of literature and historical evidence; however, the group has passed through various psychological and social experiences that resulted in the formation of their social identity (ethnicity). In particular, immigration can be one of such social and psychological experiences that formed ethnicity of Mexicans, and at the same time, divided the group into two categories of first-generation Mexican immigrants and long-term US Mexicans. Specifically, first-generation Mexican immigrants represent the category that came in the United States after emigrating from their home country for different social or financial reasons. In their case, immigration and ethnicity seem to be in a stronger relationship, whereas, the other long-term US Mexicans have slight impact of the immigration. Conversely, they seem to have a stronger relationship with literature that is the fundamental source for them to learn about their ancestors and historical structures of Mexican community. In this regard, one can argue that emphasis of first-generation immigrants is more on the side of immigration and ethnicity in the triangular relationship, whereas, their later generations are in strong bonding with the ethnicity and literature component of the same relationship. This clearly indicates the interrelation of the three notions in one Mexican family and shows the possibility of impact of different perspectives on the Mexican’s ethnicity on societal level. Lastly, theory of Tajfel (pp. 30-44) has indicated that it is essential to consider three particular socio-psychological procedures in order to acquire a critical understanding of relationship of literature, ethnicity, and immigration. Thus, the paper will include a brief description of these three processes: “social categorization, social comparison, and psychological work” (Tajfel, pp. 57-69). In brief, these three processes cause alterations in the three notions in focus. Scrutiny of this perspective has identified these three processes as social categorization (ethnicity), social comparison (literature), and psychological work (immigration). However, in particular, social categorization always remains the foremost component in every group followed by social comparison, and lastly, psychological work, which further clarifies the relationship of literature, ethnicity, and immigration in light of examples and theoretical framework. In conclusion, the paper included discussion and analysis on some of the noteworthy aspects of the relationship of three social processes: literature, ethnicity, and immigration. In addition, the paper has recognized and evaluated the abovementioned relationship based on Tajfel’s theory of social identity (pp. 22-27) that indicated interrelation aspect of this triangular relationship, in which all the three seem to be in constant association with each other. Finally, it is anticipation of the researcher that the paper will be beneficial for students, teachers, and professionals in better understanding of the topic. Works Cited Suls, Jerry M. Handbook of Social Comparison. Springer, 2000. Tajfel, Henri. Social Identity and Intergroup Relations. Cambridge University Press, 2010. Read More