Influence of the novel huasipungo on the development of cultural identity

Abstract

The study presented an analysis of the influence of the novel Huasipungo on the construction of cultural identity among high school students at the San José “La Salle” Educational Unit. It aimed to identify how guided reading and collective reflection facilitated an understanding of the historical, social, and cultural roots represented in the work. The objective was to determine the influence of critical analysis of the novel on the development of the students' cultural identity. The research employed a qualitative methodology within the interpretive paradigm, utilizing semi-structured interviews with five participants. These interviews were analyzed using the hermeneutic technique of categorization. This approach allowed for an understanding of the experiences, values, and meanings that the students attributed to their relationship with the work. The findings showed that initially, the students had a limited understanding of cultural identity, but that studying the novel improved their empathy, their critical analysis skills, and their appreciation for the nation's indigenous roots. In conclusion, the work became an educational tool that fostered a deeper, more sensitive, and critical understanding of Ecuador's cultural identity.