Silent Dancing

Judith Ortiz Cofer’s descriptions of her memories of Paterson, New Jersey in the beginning of the essay have negative connotations. Cofer uses words like “banged,” “rattled,” “hiss,” and “punctuated” to vividly describe El Building (Cofer 2). I believe she did this in order to emphasize the fact that she felt out of place. Her memories in the United States were “all in shades of gray” (Cofer 2), which implies that they were dull, boring, and unimportant compared to Puerto Rico. However, later in “Silent Dancing,” she seems to be troubled with deciding whether or not to become assimilated into the American culture. She also expresses that it is “both comical and sad to watch silent dancing” (Cofer 7). In other words, she misses her original culture, but on the other hand, she thinks it is silly to watch a home video without music because it does not make sense. Music helps aid the setting and situation. It is easier to determine what is happening in a visual when there is sound.
Cofer’s essay refers to the two different poles, which are the traditional, unassimilated Puerto Rican culture and the seemingly rebellious, assimilated American culture. Cofer’s brother’s girlfriend, who represents the Puerto Rican pole, “sits up formally” and “is a pretty girl,” but “her posture makes her look insecure” (Cofer 4). Cofer’s cousin, who represents the American pole, wears “a tight, sequined cocktail dress” and holds “a cigarette expertly” (Cofer 4). Her description of the Puerto Rican pole sounds uptight, while her description of the American role is carefree. I believe she compares the two women to emphasize the confidence of the assimilated and the insecurity of the unassimilated. However, she also expresses the sin, an abortion, of the Americanized, cocky cousin and the excellent quality, humbleness, of the respectable Hispanic woman. I think she changes her opinions about the two women because she is continually changing her mind about which attitude is better. Her...