American History

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1993

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Essay Topics

Cofer describes the residences in Elena’s Paterson community very carefully while giving rather spare descriptions of characters’ physical appearances. Why do you think she does this?

What does Elena’s mother mean when she warns Elena that she is “heading for humiliation and pain” (26)?

Elena and Eugene’s fathers never speak in the story. Why do you think Cofer relegates these characters to the background?