Theme Of Pride In John Fante's Ask The Dust

During the 1930’s, life in America was less than ideal. The stock market had just crashed, which resulted in the unemployment of millions of Americans. Not to mention the brimming conflict that was happening on the other side of the globe. Moreover there was still a large amount of animosity towards people with distinct ethnic backgrounds. Even the west coast which was known for its acceptance of all people was filled with racism, especially towards the large amount of Latin Americans that encompassed Southern California. Author John Fante depicts the struggle of an Italian American writer during 1930’s Los Angeles in his novel, Ask the Dust. Through the eyes of the protagonist, Arturo Bandini, Fante demonstrates the struggle of attempting

Arturo Bandini has pride in his culture and he demonstrates it when reading a newspaper and thinks, “. . . read the box scores of the American League games, scrupulously avoided the box scores of National League games, and noted with satisfaction that Joe DiMaggio was still credited to the Italian people, because he was leading the league in batting” (Fante 11). He doesn’t read the scores of the National League games, only the American league, because Bandini wishes to be American. Despite having been raised in America Arturo feels the need to be a part of American society, however, he gets a sense of pride in seeing an Italian doing well in American sports. At his core Bandini is a proud Italian, nevertheless Bandini still wishes to assimilate into American society. For example, he reveals his intentions of becoming some big shot author, “. . . and the library with the big boys in the shelves, old Dreiser, old Mencken . . . and it begins with B . . . make way for Arturo Bandini, his slot for his book” (Fante 13). Bandini wishes to be a part of the famous American authors, who have their very own slots at the library. He has pride for his people in his heart, but just like many non-white Americans during this time, he wants to be a part of the big red, white, and blue