The representation of an event or story in art is referred to as a narrative, according to Miriam Webster dictionary. However, a narrative is more than just a narrated event or another essay. It is a story told on a specific topic for a specific purpose. To illustrate the true concept of an essay and the thought that goes into its creation, two examples will be used: Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue" and Maria Baritones' "Is Habit Espanola". Both essays discuss language and its influence on identity. Amy Tan explores the difficulties of growing up as an Asian American who had to learn various forms of English, while Maria Baritones talks about the initial shame of being a Hispanic living in America and the subsequent shame of not knowing her mother tongue. These essays go beyond simple storytelling as th
...ey have a purpose, an audience, and a stance. They were created with a specific intention and should be read with that in mind. Just as oxygen is vital to human life, a topic is crucial to the success of a narrative. Without a topic, it would be impossible to write a proper paper.Both "Is Habit Espanola" by Maria Baritones and "Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan discuss similar topics, including racial differences, languages, and the pride associated with one's heritage. Tan focuses on the English language and how children from different cultures must learn various forms of English. Meanwhile, Baritones' essay explores Spanish and the struggles faced by Hispanic American children who may feel ashamed of their Mexican heritage but later regret not learning Spanish. Both authors have a clear stance in their narratives. Tan argue
that it is acceptable to speak different variations of English, stating, "Began writing stories using all the English I grew up with." Baritones emphasizes the importance of embracing one's heritage and not feeling ashamed of oneself or one's family background. It is crucial for narratives to include vivid details, a thorough explanation of events, a clear beginning and ending, and a distinct stance. Additionally, every essay has a specific audience, whether it be a teacher, fellow student, or friend.Both Maria Baritones and Amy Tan target young readers who come from different cultural backgrounds. Amy Tan focuses on first generation Asian Americans who have to adapt their English depending on their environment. In contrast, Maria Baritones writes to young Hispanic American readers who are in search of their roots and incorporates Spanish words in her essay. While their specific audiences differ, both authors share a common purpose: to assist individuals who are experiencing similar challenges and emotions related to language, frustration, confusion, and feeling excluded. In conveying their experiences, both authors express a strong personal perspective.In her encouraging message, Maria expresses her desire for everyone to have the courage to embrace their Latino heritage. She specifically calls on those who, like her, have struggled with shame, to step forward and embrace their rightful place within the broad spectrum of Latino culture. Maria also discusses her own experience of feeling disconnected from her mother tongue, Spanish. She describes the language as vibrant, straightforward, and rich in both observation and imagination. Despite this admiration, Maria admits to feeling bothered by the lack of a better way to describe her own Spanish proficiency other than as "broken." She rejects
the notion that it needs fixing, emphasizing that there should be no shame associated with having "broken English" or being the child of someone who speaks it. Overall, Maria's message serves as a reminder that there is strength in embracing one's linguistic and cultural heritage without shame.
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