Daughter of Invention

             The Daughter of Invention, a short story by Julia Alvarrez, chronicles a daughter's struggles to adapt to mainstream America in New York as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic. Her family is fleeing from the dictatorial regime of Trujillo. Julia's father, who apparently is an important figure in the insurgence fighting to topple the oppresive dictator, is a traditional, conservative, yet capable character.
             He does not allow his daughters and their mother to shop or travel the streets in broad daylight, obviously paranoid from his rebellious activities the Dominican Republic. He believes in respect for teachers, and severely criticizes Julia's speech which affirms disrespect of teachers and thinking as an individual.
             One of the most important figures in this story is Julia's mother. She is obssessed with inventions, and is bent on invent something which will be popular before she dies. As her daughter did, she is slowly conforming to the ways of mainstream America. She reads the New York Times regularly and keeps up with current events.
             There are several symbols in this story which can be identified as significant. Her mother's notepad, is a symbol of her creativity and also her attempt to blend in into American society. She wishes to be recognized when she invents something, hoping to make an impact on society.
             The central theme of this story is buried within the author's struggles to balance traditional family values with the modern ways of America.
             Julia wishes to embrace the freedoms of America. The prime example is her speech, in which she tests the waters by celebrating individualism in her speech and criticizing her teachers. This is not easily accepted by her father, who is accustomed to the oppression of the Dominican Republic.
             I could personally relate to this story having immigrated to America at a school age, when it was a somewhat arduous task adapting to changes, both minor and drastic.
             ...

More Essays:

APA     MLA     Chicago
Daughter of Invention. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 01:24, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/96234.html