American History Judith Ortiz Cofer Summary

In Judith Ortiz Cofer’s story, “American History,” when Elena, a fourteen-year-old Puerto Rican girl, has an eye-opening experience, she learns a devastating fact about the real world. Elena was about to go over to Eugene's house, despite President Kennedy’s death, to study, but when she knocked on the door, Eugene didn’t answer, his mother did. Once Elena explains that she is there to study with Eugene, his mother asks if “[she lives]there?” (Cofer 31), and when Elena says “Yes. I do” (Cofer 32). Eugene's mother states that “Eugene doesn’t want to study with [her]” (Cofer 33) and that “He is a smart boy” (Cofer 33) and that he “Doesn’t need help.” (Cofer 33). After this, Elena “couldn’t move” (Cofer 34) and just “stood there in shock” (Cofer