Pat Mora Mothers And Daughters Analysis

A mother’s love is one that will always be there with no questions asked. Love is the foundation for a prosperous and thriving family Pat Mora was born in El Paso, Texas in 1942, to a Spanish speaking family. Mora “takes pride in being a Hispanic writer, she sees her work for both children and adults as bound up with the effort to promote literacy, a wider knowledge and appreciation of Hispanic culture and heritage, and cross cultural understanding” (971). Mora shows the concept of a Mother’s love through her poems “Elena” and “Mothers and Daughters.” She also gives us a glimpse of what life is like as a Mexican American, she explains their hardships, strengths, and trials that make them who they are. She uses her writing to show her personal …show more content…
Pat Mora’s poem, “Elena” has the tone set in the first line, where she said, “My Spanish isn’t enough” (972). A Mexican woman who already feels as though she doesn’t belong in the American Culture, is trying to readjust her life. Right away the poem shows the reader, that she does not think she is good enough, because she takes ownership of the word Spanish. If she would have not taken ownership of the word Spanish, then we could be left to believe that it wasn’t enough. The narrator than goes on, talking about the old memories she has of living in Mexico. “I remember how I’d smile listening to my little ones, understanding every word they’d say” (972). She is happy while she is reminiscing about the past, but the memories quickly fade and she’s back to the daily challenges she’s facing. She said, “Now my children go to American high schools, they speak English” (972). Moving to American was to better her family, she wanted more for them, even if it meant she was taking a big risk for herself. She felt “dumb and alone,” (972) because her children knew how to speak English. She does not want to feel separated from her family so she buys an English book and locks herself in the bathroom “if I stop trying, I will be deaf when my children need my help” (972). She does not want to miss the kind of relationship she can have with her children if she knows English. Mother’s will …show more content…
In “Elena,” the speaker states her feelings about how she needs to be there for her children, and that she feels alone, and separated from her family but in “Mothers and Daughters” it shows the bonding experience, the happiness and how close their relationship is. Both poems go back on memories of earlier times spend with their children. While "Mothers and Daughters" show a more enjoyable side, "Elena" shows the hardships a mother has to endure while keeping her family together. Both poems implement the importance of a mother's role in her children's