Question

Read the following excerpt from Julia Ortiz Cofer’s poem "El Olvido." It is dangerous to spurn the clothes you were born to wear for the sake of fashion; dangerous to use weapons and sharp instruments you are not familiar with; dangerous to disdain the plaster saints before which your mother kneels praying with embarrassing fervor that you survive in the place you have chosen to live: The items listed in this excerpt symbolize

Answer 1

The traditions and customs of the speaker's native land.

The poem suggests that the speaker's native land has traditional clothing, is non-violent, and practices Catholicism. By spurning, or refusing to wear, the traditional clothes, the person is rejecting her culture in favor of fashion. The desire to use weapons that are unfamiliar also does against the customs of the culture as non-violent. Lastly, the plaster saints are indicative of a Catholic religion as well as kneeling prayer.

Answer 2

In the excerpt form Julia Ortiz Cofer's poem "El Olvido", the items listed symbolize the traditions that come from her ancestors. Ortiz Cofer states that it is dangerous to forget one's origins and traditions. Judith Ortiz Cofer was born in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico, her family moved to New Jersey when she was four. Her mother prays to plaster saints.  She tries to melt her different origins in her poetry.