Quinceanera Judith Ortiz Cofer

687 Words2 Pages

There is a time when one goes from a child to a full grown adult. There’s no more barbie dolls and monster trucks; it is now all about being responsible and growing up. It seems to all happen so fast, and tables turn as faster than one might think. Now, it is all about figuring life out and changing mindset from childhood to adulthood. In the poem, “Quinceanera” by Judith Ortiz Cofer, she goes through the changes of this young lady to an adult. The first line in the poem says, “My dolls have been put away like dead.” This is the first part of moving on to a different lifestyle. Once all of the toys are put away, becoming a true adult is just right around the corner. The putting away of the toys is the last memory of a child. It is sad because …show more content…

Cofer goes through talking about things that it is time to give up, and she states things that fifteen year olds are expected to do. At fifteen years old, it should be middle school crush’s and makeup. It should not be figuring out a new life and giving up everything from the past. The innocence of a child is most definitely lost in this poem. The girl is getting ready for a big day and getting all fancied up. She is rather nervous as from the last two lines she says, “I am wound like the guts of a clock, waiting for each hour to release me,” (Cofer 24). A fifteen year old should not have to endure things like that at such a young age. It all goes back to losing the innocence of childhood. Growing up through life’s journey is definitely a challenging time. While growing up there are many challenges, for example, what friends to be around, college to attend, soulmate to look for, how many children, and many others. All of these examples help one to grow into the adult that they will become or have become. In various cultures, one is required to “grow up” at numerous ages, all depending on where one grows up. Knowledge is the key factor in growing up. Becoming a wiser being that is fit for society. In every single aspect of life, a person gains knowledge from it. It does not matter if it is getting heart broken or losing a job, there is always some kind of knowledge that is gained

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