A Contemporary Feminist Dystopia: Mexico Under Siege in Jeanine Cummins’s “American Dirt” (2020).

Jeanine Cummins's novel "American Dirt" portrays a contemporary feminist dystopia in Mexico under siege. The book follows the story of a mother and her son fleeing cartel violence in Acapulco and making their way north to the United States. The novel's portrayal of Mexico as a violent, lawless country where women are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence and exploitation has been criticized by some as perpetuating harmful stereotypes. This research examines the ways in which "American Dirt" presents a dystopian vision of Mexico through a feminist lens. Drawing on feminist theory and dystopian literature, the paper argues that the novel's portrayal of Mexico as a dangerous and oppressive place for women reflects broader systemic issues of misogyny and violence against women in Mexican society. Furthermore, this research explores the ways in which "American Dirt" challenges traditional notions of the dystopian genre, which often focus on imagined futures rather than present-day realities. The paper argues that the novel's portrayal of Mexico as a contemporary feminist dystopia offers a powerful critique of the current political and social climate in the country. The paper also analyzes the controversy surrounding the novel's publication, particularly the criticism of Cummins's decision to write about Mexican characters and culture as a non-Mexican author. The research explores the ways in which this controversy reflects larger debates about cultural appropriation and the representation of marginalized groups in literature.            
Ultimately, this research argues that "American Dirt" offers a compelling critique of the systemic violence and oppression faced by women in Mexico, while also highlighting the complexities and challenges of representing the experiences of marginalized groups in literature.