American History is a short story written by Judith Ortiz Cofer that revolves around the life of a young girl named Elena. The story takes place in the 1960s, during a time of racial tension and civil unrest in America.
Throughout the story, Elena faces numerous conflicts that shape her perspective of the world around her. However, the main conflict in this story can be summed up in one word: identity.
The Internal Struggle
Elena is a Puerto Rican girl who moves to the United States with her family at a young age. As she grows up, she finds herself struggling to reconcile her Puerto Rican heritage with her American identity. She feels like she does not fit into either culture completely and is often torn between the two.
This internal struggle is evident from the very beginning of the story when Elena says, “I was born in Puerto Rico, but I never really knew it.” She goes on to describe how she has always felt like an outsider both in Puerto Rico and America.
The External Struggle
The external conflict in American History revolves around racism and prejudice against Latinos during this time period. As Elena navigates through school and society, she experiences firsthand the discrimination that comes with being a minority.
She recalls a time when a white boy called her a “spic” and how it made her feel ashamed of her heritage. She also talks about how her teacher assumes that she cannot speak English well simply because of her ethnicity.
The Conflict Resolution
Throughout the story, Elena tries to find ways to reconcile these conflicting identities and overcome discrimination. She joins various clubs at school to try to fit in better with American culture but eventually realizes that it is not worth sacrificing who she truly is.
In the end, Elena finds solace in writing and uses it as a way to express herself and connect with others who share similar experiences. By embracing both her Puerto Rican heritage and American identity, she is able to resolve the conflict within herself and find her place in the world.
The Takeaway
The main conflict of identity in American History is a theme that resonates with many individuals who have experienced similar struggles. It highlights the importance of embracing one’s heritage while also finding ways to connect with others and overcome discrimination.
Through Elena’s journey, we see the significance of self-discovery and acceptance in shaping one’s identity. This story serves as a reminder that our differences should be celebrated rather than used to divide us, and that our unique identities are what make us truly special.
- Identity crisis is a common issue faced by many immigrants who struggle with reconciling their cultural roots with their new environment.
- Racism and prejudice can have a significant impact on an individual’s sense of self-worth and identity.
- Embracing one’s heritage while also finding ways to connect with others can help resolve conflicts related to identity.
In conclusion, American History is a poignant story that explores the complexities of identity during a time of racial tension and discrimination. By using various HTML elements such as bold text, underlined text, lists, and subheaders, we were able to effectively convey the main conflict of this story while making it visually engaging for readers.