In the poem “ Para Teresa”, the author, Ines Hernandez-Aliva, illustrates a conflict between two Pachuca girls in the 1950’s. This poem is written as a letter “for Teresa”, where the narrator provides an apology and a resolution for their misunderstanding.The poem takes place during lunch hour at Alamo Elementary School.Teresa believed Hernandez was trying to be like the “gringos” because she did everything she was told. Hernandez writes this poem to come to terms with what happened, and possibly rekindle the friendship she had with her schoolmate. Both Hernandez and Teresa believed the education system isolated minorities and saw them as inferior. They were expected to be unsuccessful because they were “dumb”. Teresa didn’t realize that by going against the system, she proved the system right, meanwhile Hernandez proved them wrong. Hernandez is trying to explain that she knows how
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One of the first things I noticed is that there were parts of the poem in Spanish. The speaker decided that her message would be better conveyed in Spanish, rather than English because of the connection they had with their heritage. The poem begins by explaining who the poem is for; from the first few lines you can sense a feeling of relief, as the author expresses something she had bottled up for a while. The quote, “Te dedico las palabras estas/ que explotan de mi corazón” (Hernandez 198), better expresses the “burst” of feelings that are “pouring” out of her heart as she writes the letter for Teresa. Even though Teresa believed that Hernandez was stuck up for listening to her parents and doing well in school, Hernandez understands why she did that. Hernandez says “Te comprendo/ Es mas te respeto” (Hernandez 200), to explain to Teresa that she understands and respects her choices. The words she chose, illustrate that she was never against Teresa, in fact they actually had the same views, they just acted upon their ideas
One of the first things I noticed is that there were parts of the poem in Spanish. The speaker decided that her message would be better conveyed in Spanish, rather than English because of the connection they had with their heritage. The poem begins by explaining who the poem is for; from the first few lines you can sense a feeling of relief, as the author expresses something she had bottled up for a while. The quote, “Te dedico las palabras estas/ que explotan de mi corazón” (Hernandez 198), better expresses the “burst” of feelings that are “pouring” out of her heart as she writes the letter for Teresa. Even though Teresa believed that Hernandez was stuck up for listening to her parents and doing well in school, Hernandez understands why she did that. Hernandez says “Te comprendo/ Es mas te respeto” (Hernandez 200), to explain to Teresa that she understands and respects her choices. The words she chose, illustrate that she was never against Teresa, in fact they actually had the same views, they just acted upon their ideas