Judith Ortiz Cofer Essay Example

itself has a deep rooted meaning which is in Spanish language means “Quince Anos” (fifteen years old). A very significant alteration in a girl’s life was felt as we took into account ethnicity; a new voice will be heard as a girl becomes of age. Cofer expound the story when she reached the age of fifteen. She demonstrates the tone of the poem very well. Emotions and feeling through this outstanding poem was clearly illustrated.

My dolls have been put away like dead / children in a chest I will carry / with me when I marry. ” This line makes us grasp that the character is about to enter a new phase of her life. A new feeling will arise as she explores the real world which is full of responsibilities and surprises. “I reach under my skirt to feel/ a satin slip bought for this day. It is soft as the inside of my thighs…” The connotation of this line was evidently implicit that the slip under the skirt was compared to how the inside of the leg feels.

In lieu of which, this also gives us an idea what impact this circumstance had in her life which really awakened her attention, is it the phase when she comes in connection with her marriage life? Similes are throughout the entire poem. By the tone of the story and the figurative language that is expressed, is what makes the reader feel and imagine what the writer is going through or what they have already experienced. Analyzing the flow of the poem, it was obvious that the rhyme was not at hand.

There isn’t much alliteration or assonance

either, which in turn make the poem eccentric – no sound mechanism. As we go through the content of the poem, one way or another it is confusing. Quinceanera is suppose to be exciting, a time of freedom and exploration in a girl’s life, the way the author uses inappropriate words promotes bewilderment to its readers. “My dolls have been put away like dead”, by using the word dead, the poem does not promote a good image.

In addition to this, “My hair / has been nailed back with my mothers’ black hairpins to my skull”, nailing pins into her skull was not apt to transcend a good attitude towards a certain scenario. A bunch of existing phenomenon in our lives deserves to be celebrated but the most important component of every happening was the upshot that strengthens our personality. Quinceanera is a very special occurrence which comes at hand only once in a girl’s existence, so it is a moment for rejoicing in the marvel of life and reaffirming one’s commitment to family, friends, tradition, and community.

The poem truly epitomizes a sense of responsibility on how a young girl adjust into a situation wherein she will plan and decide on her own, and most especially, this was also the time when she can involve herself to marriage and have a family of her own. Fifteen years old was the appropriate age for Latinas when many young women left their family home to become wives and then mothers, and almost as though passing through an invisible door, a Latina enters her Quinceanera as a child but emerges as a young woman with new responsibilities.

Those who know

and love her will see and treat her differently from that day forward. How hard to deal with these circumstances was truly the aspiration of the author for the reader to grasp her intention of making us aware. Indeed, the word of choice might be confusing but as we scrutinize its content, we would be able to feel the intense emotion of Judith Ortiz Cofer – and that is to realize how tough it is to grow old and capture the chance in this multifaceted world.