Latina Poetry as an Expression of Cultural Heritage

Question 1

Read the passage from “Child of the Americas.”I am Caribeña, island grown. Spanish is in my flesh, ripples from my tongue, lodges in my hips:the language of garlic and mangoes, the singing in my poetry, the flying gestures of my hands. Based on the imagery in the passage, how does the speaker feel when she is speaking Spanish?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

proud and expressive

Question 2

Which excerpt from “The Latin Deli: An Ars Poetica” is an example of an allusion?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Suspiros, Merengues, the stale candy of everyone’s childhood

Question 3

Read the passage from “Child of the Americas.”An immigrant and the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants.I speak English with passion: it’s the tongue of my consciousness, a flashing knife blade of crystal, my tool, my craft.In this passage, what is the speaker’s relationship with the English language?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

She uses it naturally and with great skill because it is a part of her heritage.

Question 4

How is the speaker’s point of view in the poem “Child of the Americas” used to explore cultural identity?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The first-person point of view allows her to claim ownership of her own cultural identity.

Question 5

Read the passage from “Child of the Americas.”I am not african. Africa is in me, but I cannot return. I am not taína. Taíno is in me, but there is no way back. I am not european. Europe lives in me, but I have no home there. How does the repetition of the phrase “I am not” help to establish the author’s tone?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

It expresses a confidence in her identity of mixed heritage.

Question 6

Read the passage from “Child of the Americas.”I am not african. Africa is in me, but I cannot return. I am not taína. Taíno is in me, but there is no way back. I am not european. Europe lives in me, but I have no home there. What does this passage reveal about the speaker of the poem?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

It shows that she embraces all parts of her heritage by refusing to be classified as one in particular.

Question 7

Which excerpt from “Child of the Americas” contains imagery that expresses how language becomes part of the speaker’s physical identity?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Spanish is in my flesh, ripples from my tongue, lodges in my hips:

Question 8

Read the passage from the poem “Child of the Americas.”I am new. History made me. My first language was spanglish. I was born at the crossroadsand I am whole. The author’s word choice helps to reflect a tone of

Revolt · Accepted Answer

pride.

Question 9

Read the passage from “The Latin Deli: An Ars Poetica.”all wanting the comfortof spoken Spanish, to gaze upon the family portraitof her plain wide face, her ample bosomresting on her plump arms, her look of maternal interestas they speak to her and each otherof their dreams and their disillusions—The word choice in this passage describes

Revolt · Accepted Answer

the commonality of shared feelings and experiences.

Question 10

Read the passage from “The Latin Deli: An Ars Poetica.”all wanting the comfortof spoken Spanish, to gaze upon the family portraitof her plain wide face, her ample bosomresting on her plump arms, her look of maternal interestas they speak to her and each otherof their dreams and their disillusions—Which best describes the role of the speaker?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The speaker is describing a scene in the third person as a sentimental observer.

Latina Poetry as an Expression of Cultural Heritage Answers

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