Is Texas Teerica By Jolly Ivins Analysis

Indulgy website once said “Texas living is where the tea is sweet our words are long, the days are warm, and our faith is strong” For the past decade Texas has been viewed as its own “America”. In the text; Is Texas America by Molly Ivins she highlights some of the common Texan stereotypes and creates a generalization among all Texans. She does that through the use of comedy and irony. Creating the Texan to reconsider views of life in Texas. Although, one may disagree with Ivins claim on how the stereotypes represent all Texans, she does seek to highlight specific issues dealing with cultural aspects, racism, and political issues in Texas. No one ever questions the State they live in. Until one begins to tune in on what is really going on. Ivins in this case is the one that everyone is tuning in on. She states that Texas, is Texas because its “ignorant, cantankerous and ridiculously friendly” (341). Furthermore, Ivins is not specific in stating a certain area in Texas, but instead classifies the whole state as ignorant, cantankerous and ridiculously friendly. However, her use of irony is reveled when she states “ridiculously friendly” because although parts of Texas might be what she describes she states that its very friendly. And has fun cultural events such as State fairs, crawfish boils, and not to mention it has Austin as its capital also know as a music capitol. By Ivins use of irony, she is able to reinforce why it has become such a phenomenon for people to move to Texas, yes there is negative aspects of it but one is able to understand the positive environment they are living in. As we go further in the text Ivins writes, “the cultures are black, Chicano, Southern, freak, suburban, and Shitkickers. (shitkicker is common) (341)”. Her choice to repeat shitkicker enforces the race she is referring to which in this case the race is white. She describes the white race as the most bad-mannered. But her use of comedy makes one laugh because it is rare for the white race to be described as that since it is always viewed as a superior race. That is where Ivins begins to make Texans reconsider life in Texas. Because although many do agree that Texas is a probomantly white State. But …show more content…
Ivains questions on how Republican parties have dominated Texas by stating “there’s not a gay in midland would come out of the closet for fear people would think they’re Democrat” (342). Her use in irony explains how the people of Texas are more fearful someone categorizing them as democrats instead of coming out as gay. Since Texas takes republicans so serious. Second she goes on to state how “we are currently saddled with a right-wing ideologue sugar daddy” (344). She uses the term sugar daddy to give irony to how Texas government is being funded money from the government to meet Texas “needs/ lucherys”. This idea reinforces the stereotype that Texas has received in the past as being a state of corruption when it comes to money. Ivins use of irony in this case makes the reader reconsider whether or not they want to live in a state where the money that is being taken out for taxes is going towards the right needs or is being used with the citizens in