Judith Ortiz Cofer's title for her short story "American History" has a double meaning. First, the story is set on November 22, 1963, which is the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. This date is remembered by many people around the world as one of America's tragic days in history. The second meaning behind Cofer's title is symbolic and ironic at the same time. The sad truth is that prejudice, discrimination, and racism...
Judith Ortiz Cofer's title for her short story "American History" has a double meaning. First, the story is set on November 22, 1963, which is the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. This date is remembered by many people around the world as one of America's tragic days in history. The second meaning behind Cofer's title is symbolic and ironic at the same time. The sad truth is that prejudice, discrimination, and racism are also a part of America's history; and Elena, the protagonist, experiences these vices on the day Kennedy was shot.
In the story, while the whole nation mourns the loss of a great leader by listening to or watching the news, Elena goes next door for a study date with her friend Eugene. Unfortunately, Eugene's mother denies Elena access to her home and her son because Elena is a poor Puerto Rican immigrant--not a white girl.
The title is symbolic because two historical events happen in the story; one is famous, and one represents daily life in America in the 1960s. The title is ironic because when the nation mourned the loss of Kennedy, they felt united; however, the unity was not necessarily real or long-lasting because prejudice, discrimination, and racism were still practiced, thereby separating minority groups from the majority.
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