- Why is it important to know about Sonia's trip to Puerto Rico? Look at p. 44 again. Why is it significant that all these people she mentions in Puerto Rico have professional jobs?
- What is the significance that at 7 years old, Sonia began giving herself insulin injections for her diabetes?
- Why does Sotomayor use Spanish words in a memoir for English language readers?
- What were gender relations like in the world that Sonia grew up in?
What questions do you have about the reading?
It is important to know about Sonia's trip to Puerto Rico because it showed how different her life is from what most of her family grow up in. It also gave her a chance to compare Professions Puerto Rican's had in Puerto Rico to New York. She mentioned on page 44 that the people she knew on the islands had better jobs than the ones in New York. This is ironic because her family moved to New York away from the hardship, so they could have better lives and a better job. Instead people back home had better jobs. I believe the trip to Puerto Rico gave her lots of encouragement as a minority.
ReplyDeleteSonia Sotomayor used Spanish words in her memoir for English language readers to more effectively emphasize her points.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I totally agree with your statement. When Soto Mayor uses Spanish words in her text I believe that she is trying to help her audience relive these moments as when they first happened. This keeps the feel of her stories alive by emphasizing on these important details. Also, to add to your point, somethings are better said/written in our native tongue or slang. For example the poetry that I read aloud in class sounded a lot better in Spanish than when it was translated into English. Do you agree?
DeleteIt is significant that at 7 years old Sonia began giving herself insulin injections for her diabetes. She knew it was something she needed for the rest of her life and her parents were struggling to administer the injections. She hated that her daily injection routine caused arguments. To her their screaming hurt her more than the needles. The last thing she wanted was for them to fight about her. So she decided the only way to solve all problems was to learn how to do it herself.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Bradley very well put!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Natasha.
ReplyDeleteI think Sonia's trip to Puerto Rico was important because it showed her a different way of life. She got to meet her great grandmother and she got to work in a family owned bakery which prepared her for her first job. She also got to experience her culture first hand, the land, trees, the merchants on the street, and it showed Sonia something more than the Bronx.
ReplyDeleteWhen Sonia visited her home country, Puerto Rico she saw how most of the people over there had a career or a profession which is normal. There a lot of Hispanic people that I know that when they were living in their home countries they had a career, but is not the same. For example my grandfather back in Mexico is cop and he is getting paid less than 100 dollars a shift. About the insulin Sonia had to learn how to inject herself the insulin shots because her parents were always arguing therefore she didn't want to give any more reasons for the to fight, I strongly believe that Sonia uses Spanish words not to get the people bored or for them to not understand what she is saying, but to make them pay more attention to what they're reading or so they can concentrate and focus more in the reading. When ever Sonia's father was mad the mom was always to be blamed , so I think Sonia grew in a Macho world were the man is always right
ReplyDeleteSonia knew that she had to learn how to give herself insulin injections because she felt that she couldn't rely on her parents. This is something that she had to live with for the rest of her life, it was important to for health to be able to give herself the daily injections, knowing how much her parents especially her dad struggled to give the shot.
ReplyDeleteHow sad it must be to not rely on your parents. Stacy, I know that you are a parent, imagine how your children would feel/live without your unconditional support? I honestly cannot fathom the idea of not providing my children the unconditional love and support each child deserves. The crucial part of this story is the reason behind Soto Mayor's decision to learn to inject herself. At a very young age she realized that self-injecting her insulin would be the only way that she could stay over her grandmother's home. 'Abuelita's' place was Soto Mayor's sweet escape from her harsh reality and a temporary relief from the vicious circle that she had to call home.
DeleteThe trip that Sonia took to Puerto Rico was very important because it allowed to see a world of equality (no segregation by ethnic groups). She was able to see to see her people (Puerto Ricans) as Lawyers, Doctors and business Owners. Something was extremely rare in the Bronx.
ReplyDeleteThe significance of her injecting herself at 7 years old was the she needed to tend for herself, since her father with his constant drinking could not hold the needle steady, nor her mom was available due to her extensive work hours. They was quite burned to bear at such a young age.
I believe Sonia chooses Spanish words through her memoris is because español was the main language used throughout her family (at least until the passing of her father). I feel is gives her memories more value. I myself haven’t been able to translate “nata” either. I choose this word over any.
I think Sonia's trip to PR was inspiring and uplifting for her, she realized her people weren't like what she remembered in New York, the second-hand help. Her people too can be high-ranking professionals. I think that gave her a sense of pride and self-respect.
ReplyDeleteSonia's trip was significant she learned about the world outside of the Bronx. She saw people in the streets of Puerto Rico who had careers in high places, I think this was important to her. Back in the Bronx the only person that she knew was the one Puerto Rican doctor in the hospital that her mom worked in.
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ReplyDeleteI believe that Puerto Rico has been a view of who she could have been oppose to who she wants to be, The stereotype of what professional categories people fall into based on their gender was something she wanted nothing to be a part of, she wanted to have her own identity. She wanted to be so much more in life, The thought of a child to stand up and really achieve a maturity level to that extent boggles my mind. When i was 7 years out i was worried about when i was going to get a new toy, or when i was going to have my next play date with a friend. This girl is injecting herself with insulin, and keeping herself together in life while doing this. She would rather take the tension, the stresses, and the burden off her family for her having diabetes and that is something i cant even comprehend a child doing.
ReplyDeleteSotomayor does use Spanish words in a memoir for English language readers, because the rhyme and meaning of those words sound different in English
ReplyDeleteMore that a question I have a comment about the sincerity from Sotomayor to write those details of family life that I am pretty sure no body could feel proud about that.
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