Response to "American History" The story "American History" by Judith Ortiz-Cofer is one that many people can relate to. It is not merely a Latina girl ’s experiences with prejudice and growing up in New Jersey. The story rings true for many. In "American History‚" Elena is a ninth grader at a large public school in Paterson‚ New Jersey. On this day‚ a cold gray November day‚ President Kennedy has been shot. The reader can see how all the adults in the story are immensely affected by this
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decision so they can feel better about themselves. In “Abuela Invents the Zero”‚ by Judith Ortiz Cofer‚ it is portrayed that Constancia made her decision so she would fit in and wouldn’t be made fun of. For example‚ when Constancia knew that her friends saw her with her Abuela in the church‚ she thought‚ "I just know that on Monday my friends will have a lot of senile -grandmother jokes to tell in front of me" (Ortiz-Cofer para 14#). Constancia is already picturing her friends making fun of her. Her thinking
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The theme of “Catch the Moon” by Judith Ortiz Cofer is after losing a loved one‚ people can overcome the bitterness that develops by working and helping others. First in the story‚ the narrator says that Luis would “build a display wall for his father. People would be able to come into the yard and point to whatever they wanted.” This supports the theme because although Luis started by being sneaky‚ troublesome‚ selfish‚ and fearless‚ he changes into a kind‚ thoughtful‚ motivated‚ caring‚ and helpful
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My response to the title of the poem was a fifteen-year-old Latina girl becoming of age. Quinceanera can be compared to Sweet Sixteen or becoming eighteen-years-old all of which represent the transition into adulthood for a young lady. Traditionally a Quinceanera is celebrated among the Latino culture and catholic community. The poem demonstrates tone well using her emotions and feeling toward turning fifteen. This author takes her own experience and puts it into the poem. She describes the time
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Jack Huston once said “Rule number one is ‘don’t get too attached to a character.’” He was talking about fictional characters‚ but the same can be said for real life. In the short story “American History‚” by Judith Ortiz Cofer‚ a girl named Elena becomes friends with a boy named Eugene‚ but she is devastated when she finds out that he will be moving soon. The moral of this story is not to get so emotionally attached to someone. Elena got so attached to Eugene because of how similar they are. She
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Chris Robinson 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
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point of view‚ tone‚ diction‚ syntax. We will begin with general discussions on reading and writing poetry in which we work together to form meaning from given poems. Students will look at samples of annotated poetry‚ close readings‚ and student essays on poetry. As the unit progresses students should become more independent and confident in their abilities to read‚ discuss‚ and write about poetry. Reading Poetry Suggestions for Approaching Poetry‚ a discussion on how to read a poem Billy
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more than others. Connie‚ from "Abuela Invents the Zero" by Judith Ortiz-Cofer‚ decided to put her feelings in front of Abuela’s when she chose not to help when Abuela could not find her way back to the pew in the church. When Connie noticed that Abuela was lost‚ she decided not to help her because‚ "I just know that on Monday my friends‚ and my enemies‚ in the barrio will have a lot of senile -grandmother jokes to tell" (Ortiz-Cofer para 14). Connie put her feelings before Abuela because she did
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Limits placed on the female role in society in the story "Not for Sale" have a clash between American and Puerto Rican cultures. Conflicts between a 16yr old daughter and her father occur multiple times due to limitations of the Puerto Rican culture. The daughter from the story wants to have the freedom of an American girl. With the restrictions enforced‚ she resorts to reading exotic stories to pass the time. The women’s role in the Puerto Rican culture is not expected to reach further than a homemaker
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she has gained her family’s trust. The most important privileges for a young lady is to wear makeup‚ date‚ and make adult decisions. Judith Ortiz Cofer relates to this in one of her articles by stating “she was instructed on how to act like a proper sen᷇orita and were encouraged to look and act like women and dress in clothes that made them look more mature” (Cofer 39). Wearing makeup is something that a girl being raised in the Hispanic culture can start wearing the day of her Quinceañera. Another
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