"Memory"

This week my English Professor, Frankie Lennon has assigned us to answer a couple questions concerning a chapter from her memoir, The Mee Street Chronicles: Straight Up Stories of a Black Woman's Life, the chapter is called, "Memory."

6. (a) What topic is the writer writing about? (b) If there is a main idea, point it out in your own words. Is it directly stated or implied?

In this chapter Lennon discusses her past detailing from where she grew up, moved to and what she did for fun. She mainly focused on many of her past memories, therefore I believe the topic the writer is attempting to convey to the reader  the importance of memories. This idea is presented repeatedly when she describes her life growing up on Mee Street, and her move to 1919 Dandridge Avenue. Lennon then concludes the chapter by stating that memories make up who you are and inform others who you are as well.

7. (a) How does the author organize this piece-- what modes of development are used? (c) Use you hand or notes on Transitions to identify the words or the phrases used to make transition within a paragraph.

Lennon utilizes description, cause and effect, as well as a narration.Throughout the essay the author uses words such as, "By, At first, In spring, Which is why, Sometimes, Back then" which are all considered a sequence of events. Therefore the narration is provided in sequential order.

9. Choose a paragraph from the essay. Pick out a word to describe the tone of voice you hear. (b) identify one thing that the author values. Choose a paragraph that reveals this value. (c) Identify a feeling and pick a word to describe it. Define the word. Choose a paragraph that reveals this feeling.

On page 4, the first paragraph the author conveys a voice of loneliness  she again makes a reference to this loneliness  on page 5  the third paragraph, when she discusses her departure away from a neighborhood that contained people she could identify with. Instead the author is presented with people who don't have children her age. Leaving her alone without anyone to really relate to. Later Lennon broaches up her new companion being a new puppy, but in the end she labels herself a loner because of her lack of communication with anyone. One thing the author may value is the gift of literature, on page 6 she discloses her great fondness for reading and how she could completely lose track of time while reading. In addition to valuing literature, she communicates her appreciation for memories because they allow her to know who she is as well as depict who she is to others.

Cofer's Gift

In Judith Ortiz Cofer's memoir, Woman in Front of the Sun: On Becoming a Writer, I've decided to answer the following questions based on her selection of "The Gift of a Cuento."


1. I liked (something) because . . .
I liked Cofer's anecdote about her uncle because it explained how Cofer may have been influenced by her uncle to pursue the art of storytelling for the sake of others. In addition I liked the uncle's somewhat provocative story about a woman, because it really gave me an example of how the uncle delivered his story with such enthralling details that it kept me captivated to know what would happen next.


3. I found (something) interesting from a writer's point of view because . . .
I found Cofer's description of her uncle interesting from a writer's point of view because she utilizes adjectives very eloquently to pain a vivid picture of her vivacious uncle. As a writer, often times describing certain things may seem too intricate, but Cofer harnesses the skill of detailing that it serves as an epitome for depiction.


5. What bored me was (something) because . . .
What bore me the most about this selection was Cofer's leading events to Christmas day, because she only briefly mentioned what her uncle gave her for Christmas. Moreover, Cofer could have gone into more detail of her disappointment towards her uncle's appearance at Christmas and his quick departure. Cofer coud have shared how she felt let down by her uncle's actions.

In conclusion, "The Gift of a Cuento" was partially interesting. I liked that Cofer echoed the intro in her conclusion of how a cuento helps someone, because in the end, Cofer gave her uncle joy through her own stories.

"Taking the Macho" Questions

In Judith Ortiz Cofer's memoir, Woman in Front of the Sun: On Becoming a Writer, I've decided to answer the following questions based on her selection of "Taking the Macho."

1. I liked (something) because . . .

I liked how Cofer on page 69 suggests to the reader to liberate the personified "macho." By advertising everyone to conquer the macho, one is faced to confront certain syllogisms and completely dominate the long lasting stereotype that all girls are "girly" and all boys are "macho."

2. I didn't like something because . . . 

I didn't like that some of the said history of women warriors/chiefs died off through time, because maybe some of the stereotypes would evaporate if the now generation knew what they were capable of doing.

3. I found (something) interesting from a writer's point of view because . . .

I found Cofer's description of conquering the macho as a matador would fight a ball an interesting metaphor, because although a writer may not be physically fighting anyone or anything specifically, when you write you have to conquer your fear of what others might think and instead write from the heart.

4. I found (something) interesting from the reader's point of view because . . .

 I found the storytelling in this selection interesting from a reader's point of view because Cofer gives a brief fictional story about how women were once in control. For example, although the idea is demeaning to marriage, when she discussed how women decided when they desired "to lie with their husband," it showed a shift in power and over all breaking the generalized idea that men are always in power.

7. I learned a couple of important things from reading this. The first was _____ and I think that's important because . . .  The second was ____ and that's important because . . . 

In this selection I learned a couple of important things, such as that we learn from society, that men are meant to be "macho" but women can also be "macho" without having the supposedly necessary anatomy. In addition, I also learned that as a write it is necessary to conquer the "macho" because if we continuously fear failure we will be ultimately doomed to never claim the "macho."

In conclusion, overall I enjoyed the essay because I could relate to Coffer's feelings of restraint as she grew obligated to follow the old fashioned Hispanic traditions of young girls acting and being feminine. I hope to follow her advice of trampling the "macho" and break free from these outdated traditions by finally claiming the "macho" for myself.

My Cofer

The memoir, Woman in Front of the Sun: on Becoming a Writer is written by Judith Ortiz Cofer. Her piece was titled "My Rosetta," which was set in the basement of a Catholic church in the year 1966. The narrative piece discusses a memory of a Sister named Rosetta; the main point of the piece was the author's revelation of rebellion. The author centered the piece on rebelling against the norm and finding her true self instead of following "traditions." The author wrote this specific piece to reveal to the reader how she learned the power of language when she needed it during her time of isolation in Patterson, New Jersey. I believe the piece, the selection's purpose is to show the reader what an impact Sister Rosetta ha on Cofer whilst she was growing up in the strange new world of New Jersey. Cofer expresses her desperate need to escape from the old customs o her heritage and find herself instead of following "traditions." This specific event helped her later in the future as a single existing Latina English student and helped her break away from the boundaries her relatives set up for her, which was all made possible through the tutelage of Sister Rosetta. I did enjoy the piece because it was entertaining to read about Cofer's interest into the unknown, and I identified with her struggle to break free from certain traditions set up by relatives.

"Are you a Latina writer?" Questions

Luisiana Rosales

Eng 1A

            In Judith Ortiz Cofer’s memoir, Woman in front of the Sun: on becoming a writer, I’ve decided to answer the following questions based on her selection of, “And are you a Latina writer?”

My very favorite part was _______ because. . .

            My very favorite part was, Cofer’s declaration on page 113, “I am not lost in America. I am not searching for an identity. I know who I am ad what I am,” by her stating this it is almost similar to declaring her own independence, and no longer going by the norm, but instead making her own path to follow.

I found (something) ________ interesting from a writer’s point of view because. . .

I found Cofer’s response to one woman’s criticism admirable from a writer’s point of view because she chose to take, what appeared to be an insult, as a compliment. Often times criticism isn’t always easy to take but on page 107, Cofer discusses how she interpreted the comment to something kind and endearing.

I didn’t like (something) ________ because. . .

I didn’t like when Cofer discussed how all Latina writers, “prioritize the lives f women who have; carved an existence within a women’s space.” How other always pay tribute to the matriarchal heritage, because it generalizes Latina writers to always write about something along the lines of only that genre.

I learned a couple of important things from reading this. The first was ____ and I think that’s important because. . . The second was ___ and that’s important because. . .

I did learn a couple important things from reading this selections. The first was, the fact I as an individual do not have to choose between my nationalities when writing and I think that’s important because, I know that I have more options in what I choose to write instead of following a set criteria. I can be both Salvadoran and American because they make up who I am. The second lesson I learned was, although “it can be said and written that one can’t be something, one’s essence cannot be either given nor taken away,” I found this an important lesson because, it’s stating that only I can decide what and who I am.
           

In conclusion, Judith Ortiz Cofer’s selection of “And are you a Latina writer?” has shown me many different

things and taught me countless lessons. I know now that even though some criticism may be negative I can

choose how to take it. In addition the most valuable lesson that I will always carry with me is, No one else

can dictate who and what I want to be only I can choose what and who I want to be.

My 5 Common Errors

• Missing necessary underline
• Occasional miscapitalization
• Missing words
• Occasional sentence fragments
• Missing punctuation

Syllabus Questions

Is there a rough estimate of how many quizzes there will be?

Will we need to know specific details in the story for our quizzes/tests?