Latina Poetry as an Expression of Cultural Heritage
Question 5 • IS11100 CA-English 11 09
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?
Answer
A
It expresses anger over the treatment of her ancestors.
B
It expresses sadness for not knowing who her ancestors were.
C
It expresses a confidence in her identity of mixed heritage.
D
It expresses a feeling of superiority based on cultural knowledge.
Explanation
The speaker repeats “I am not” to reject being defined as only African, Taíno, or European. She then explains that each heritage is part of her, even though she cannot return to those places. This conveys confidence in an identity made up of mixed heritage, rather than anger, uncertainty about her ancestors, or superiority.
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