Judith Ortiz Cofer's The Myth Of The Latin Woman

Words: 402
Pages: 2
Open Document
Judith Ortiz Cofer, a Latina-American essayist, in her autobiographical essay, The Myth of the Latin Woman, describes her own personal experiences of being raised as not only Catholic, but a Latin woman. She uses many examples in her essay that defines the significance of her discussion. Cofer’s, The Myth of the Latin Woman’s, purpose is not only spreading awareness about the difficulties of growing up Latina, or any woman of color, but to also give guidance and advice for the women who might be dealing with racism/sexism. Cofer’s essay begins with an experience she’s had during a bus trip to London, to earn graduate credits from Oxford University. An obviously drunk man attempts to serenade her with an “Irish tenor’s …show more content…
Cofer discusses that her family practiced strict Catholicism, with “Saturday confession” and “Sunday mass”. This example expounds Cofer’s religious background, and how strict her household was in practicing the religion. Cofer shifts her essay to an example about her background in order to narrate her origin, give the audience an idea of how her life was before becoming a writer. The reveal of Cofer’s background in her essay demonstrates that your background could have an impact on your future, be it significant or minor. Nearing the end of Cofer’s essay, specifically the fourteenth paragraph, moves to her aspiration to “replace the old pervasive stereotypes and myths about Latinas with a much more interesting set of realities”, to appeal to her general audience about what keeps her going. She moves her essay to the subject of her personal goal in order to perhaps be the beneficiary of ridding the world of racist and sexist stereotypes. The acknowlegement of Cofer's goal in her essay creates a reassuring tone that assures people of whatever doubts they may have. In conclusion, Cofer's essay The Myth of the Latin Woman is not only about spreading awareness about the hardships of growing up Latina, but also to give guidance/ her own advice for Latina's who might be dealing with racism/
Show More

Related Documents: Judith Ortiz Cofer's The Myth Of The Latin Woman

Analysis Of Judith Ortiz Cofer's The Myth Of The Latin Woman

that they don’t know about and categorize based on what they see and what they thought about them. There are mostly negative category and many are not truth .In “The Myth of the Latin Woman,” Judith Ortiz Cofer talks about what her America life about as a Puerto Rican immigrant. She talks about how people stereotyped her as a Latin Woman. How much difference between American Culture and Puerto Rican culture, and her motivation that she wants to be fit in The United States. However, there are many difficulties…

Words 851 - Pages 4

Summary Of The Myth Of Latin Woman

“The Myth of the Latin Woman” was written by Judith Ortiz Cofer. Judith Ortiz Cofer is an Puerto Rican immigrant who grew up in New Jersey. She is a poet, novelist, and essayist in a range of literary works. Currently, she is the Regents and Franklin Professor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Georgia. As a child, she often traveled back and forth between Puerto Rico and New Jersey. This allowed her to experience different cultures and languages. In the story, Cofer reflects her…

Words 139 - Pages 1

Hot Mammacita Essay

Part 1: Summary The main points discussed in Judith Ortiz Cofer’s essay “The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria” are the myths and hardships Latin women have endured due to their portrayal in the media. Cofer gives two good examples of these hardships. An incident while in London of a man singing “Maria” to her from a movie called West Side Story while on a public bus, and an intoxicated man in a hotel lobby with his daughter singing a crude and dirty version of “La Bamba”.…

Words 472 - Pages 2

The Myth Of The Latin Woman

“The Myth of the Latin Women: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria” Response In the short story “The Myth of the Latin Women: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria” author Judith Ortiz Cofer expresses her opinion on stereotypes that she and other Latin and Hispanic women have experience. She begins the story by sharing a personal story of a drunk man who starts singing “Maria” from “Westside Stories” to her. Growing up Cofer shares personal opinion throughout her childhood where she recognizes the differences…

Words 429 - Pages 2

Latin Woman Stereotypes

In Judith Ortiz Cofer's “The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria” and Brent Staples's “Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space”, each author discusses their experience of stereotyping throughout their life and their feelings towards such matters. Each author has faced similar situations due to their race, but also because of this do not come to the same conclusion on what should be done. While another thing to keep in mind is their gender, Cofer is a Puerto Rican woman while…

Words 906 - Pages 4

Latin American Culture Analysis

things,” claims Cristina De Rossi. The United States’ population is more than 320 million as stated by U.S Census Bureau; as a result, the nation has a large amount of cultural diversity. The United States is covered in cultures of Native Americans, Latin Americans, African, Asian, and more. Just as cultures from all over the world have impacted American culture, today American culture impacts the world. For the reason that every culture is different, they have various ways that can be identified…

Words 560 - Pages 3

Stereotypes In 'The Myth Of The Latin Women'

only meant to get a laugh from the US film watchers to see the Latina maid try to speak English with a heavy accent, the stereotypes are insulting and don’t represent the Latina women or culture accurately. In her memoir, “The Myth of the Latin Women,” writer Judith Ortiz Cofer analyzes many presumptions that her white audience might have about Latinas and argues that the stereotypes exist but they are inaccurate. In order to convey the affects on Latinas, Cofer recalls numerous personal…

Words 1662 - Pages 7