Immigration Blues Chapter Summary & Analysis | Analysis

Analysis

The significance of the story's title "Immigration Blues" encompasses all the good things about living in America and clearly people are willing to take drastic measures to stay but ultimately there is a longing for their native country, which never completely goes away. The old timers like Alipio feel it more poignantly and even lapse into the native tongue occasionally.

The author lends more authenticity to the story by introducing Filipino words, cities, and cultural references such as the city of Baguio, a city known to both Alipio and the sisters. Mrs. Zafra's husband, Carlito likes to go to cock fights a sport typically associated with the Filipino culture. The lunch that Alipio prepares of sardines and rice is a staple of the culture and when Alipio later offers an afternoon merienda, "not like the American snacks," the women know that they will be having a typical Filipino afternoon picnic.