Ms. Thomas
English 1101
January 25 2014 Judith Ortiz Cofer’s “Silent Dancing” Essay of the cultural shifts of Cofer’s mother, her cousin and her cousin’s brother girlfriend From Judith Ortiz Cofer’s “Silent Dancing”
Cofer’s Mother
Cofer’s mother is in the middle of the assimilation phase she is involved in both the American culture and the Puerto Rican culture. She often shops at La Bodega which is a Spanish supermarket she shops there for food because she insisted on only using products whose labels she could read. She also felt more comfortable at this “hole in the wall” store because it reminded her of home. Cofer’s mother also tries to conform to the American culture by shopping at sears and Penney’s for Cofer and her brother’s clothes. They also eat at Woolworth’s which is an American restaurant. Cofer’s mother has a balanced role in both cultures. Pp 53-55
Cofer’s cousin
Cofer’s cousin is completely assimilated or Americanized she grew up in Paterson and is in her last year of high school. She does not know anything about the Puerto Rican culture; in fact she dislikes the culture and wants nothing to do with it. The way she dresses and her demeanor signifies that she is well assimilated to the American culture. Cofer’s cousin embodies the fading cultural identity of later-generation Americans. The cousin’s later troubles also suggest that there may be grave consequences of the separation of her Puerto Rican background. After getting pregnant by a married American man, and experiencing a failed abortion attempt that produced a dead fetus, she was ironically sent away to a small village in Puerto Rico. Pp 53, 58
Cofer’s cousin brother girlfriend
Cofer’s cousin brother girlfriend is in no way assimilated to the American culture. She had just arrived from the island to the mainland. It noticeable by the way she dresses, her posture,