What do the terms consent and descent relations mean with regard to Basque immigrant families and their literature?
(Mr. Rio) American literature in general has often celebrated consent relations and glorified individualism as a landmark of American culture. Nevertheless, immigrant literatures have usually paid more attention to descent relations, a fundamental factor for the survival of ethnic cultures in America. In this sense Basque immigrant writing does not differ too much from other immigrant literatures in its celebration of the power and rewards of family for the descendants of immigrants, and also the need to accept their ethnic heritage for their proper development as individuals. Anyway, Basque-American authors such as Robert Laxalt (especially in The Governor’s Mansion) and Monique Laxalt (in The Deep Blue Memory) also emphasize the importance of consent relations in one’s personal maturation. 4. It is interesting that you have chosen recent literature between 1998 – 2008. We have heard and read Robert Laxalt’s works from earlier years. It very positive and exciting to see that there are
