American Son and Bildungsroman

The novel American Son, by Brian Ascalon Roley, fits the Bildungsroman, or coming of age, archetype because it is a story of Gabe’s, the main character’s, progress in coping with the many issues he faces. Gabe is a young mestizo, half American and half Filipino, living with his mother and older brother in the slums of L.A. His older brother, Tomas, is involved with a local Mexican gang and supports himself by selling attack dogs he trains and stolen stereos. Gabe’s Mother is a quiet older woman who works hard to support her two sons and is uncomfortable in many social situations due to being Filipino. The novel tells Gabe’s story of personal growth and development in the face of society’s prejudice and hate.
Gabe makes significant moral and psychological progress during the course of the book as is expected in any Bildungsroman story. He slowly becomes more confident in social situations about himself and his identity. Along with Gabe’s increased confidence, he also begins to stand up for himself and his family in situations where he feels he needs to oppose the unjust society he lives in. This progress become manifest when Gabe first stands up for his mother at the make-up counter in the mall. Gabe sees that his mother is being ignored by the young woman working the counter and is angered by this prejudice and inconsideration towards his mother. After working up the courage Gabe finally intervenes on his mother’s behalf and brings the issue to the manager of the counter’s attention. Although his mother shies away and does not want the help, this shows how Gabe no longer will stand for society’s ignorance and has developed enough confidence and courage to act.
Another aspect present in coming of age novels is a loss or disconnection that separates the character from home and family. In American Son this disconnection occurs when Gabe steals and sells Buster, and then takes Tomas’ car to drive away and leave home. This action isolates Gabe and Tomas and severs the brotherly bond between them. Gabe loses Tomas’ trust and gives Tomas’ power over him because Gabe is now in debt to Tomas and must repay him. Gabe’s actions while away from home also separate him from his mother. Gabe goes along with Stone’s impression of him as a ‘regular’ white kid because that is what he wants to be. By doing this he alienates not only his mother but every other minority group in the country by making and agreeing with Stone’s racist comments. The final act that separates Gabe from his mother is when he tells Stone that she is their family’s maid and Gabe’s mother learns of this from her sister-in-law. Gabe’s mother is crushed by this action because it shows her that her son is not only ashamed of his identity but even more ashamed of his mother.
The ending of American Son seems to be contrary to other Bildungsroman literature that should have “ …an assessment by the protagonist of himself/herself and his/her new place in that society” at the end of the novel because I was left confused about Gabe’s fate and ultimate place in society. I was felt with the question: Is Gabe better off now than he was at the beginning of the novel? Gabe appears to be following in the footsteps of his older brother Tomas. He grew up in a society that views him as a second class citizen, eventually became fed up and angry with this system and now appears to be fighting it by rebelling and using violence, like Tomas. The author does leave us with the possibility that Gabe could go to the Philippines to live with his Uncle Betino in Forbes Park, but is this best for Gabe? This move has some positive outcomes: Gabe will be separated from the influence of Tomas, he will have a new beginning at a new school and neighborhood, and will be under the watchful and guiding eye of his Uncle Betino. On the other hand, Gabe would also face many difficulties as a result of this move. He will have trouble fitting in at school and making new friends because he will be viewed as an outsider, an American. The language barrier will be a problem for Gabe at first but one he can overcome easily. The biggest problem will be separating Gabe from his Mother. Gabe loves his mother very much and sending him to the Philippines without her could make his situation even worse as he copes with being away from his mother and being in a new country. It seems like the best option for the entire family is for Gabe and his mother to move to either the Philippines together or to a new area in CA or the US where they can live in peace.