Cultural Duality in Pat Moras Sonrisas Poetry

Introduction

Pat Mora's poem "Sonrisas" artfully unravels the complexities of navigating a bi-social identity, illustrating the speaker's internal conflict as she straddles two disparate cultural worlds. Through the use of sound devices, metaphor, and parallelism, Mora vividly portrays the speaker's feelings of isolation and unhomeliness within both her Caucasian and Latino social spheres. This intricate examination of identity provides a profound commentary on the societal pressures that compel individuals to conform to a singular identity, despite the richness of their dual cultural heritage.

Sound Devices and Social Disconnection

Mora employs sound similarity, particularly the repetition of vowel sounds, to underscore the speaker's sense of alienation from the Caucasian side of her identity. The words "spending," "residency," and "curriculum" (Mora 5) all share the prolonged "u" sound, symbolizing the monotonous and rigid world of academia where the speaker ostensibly belongs. These terms, associated with power and permanence, highlight her professional status, yet simultaneously emphasize her passive role as an observer rather than a participant. The "beige suits" she overhears discussing budgets and tenure represent a conformity and cohesion she feels excluded from, reinforcing her sense of unhomeliness and underscoring the societal expectation to assimilate into a homogeneous cultural identity.

Metaphor and Cultural Transition

The metaphor of the "doorway" is pivotal in illustrating the speaker's transitional state between two cultures. When Mora writes, "I live in a doorway," she evokes a powerful image of liminality, suggesting that the speaker occupies a space of constant transition, neither fully embracing one culture nor the other. This symbolic threshold represents her dual consciousness, where she is perpetually poised between the Anglo-Saxon American and Mexican American cultures. The "two rooms" on either side of this threshold signify the distinct and separate identities that society demands she choose between. However, the speaker's residence in this metaphorical doorway signifies her refusal to conform, choosing instead to reside in a space that acknowledges and encompasses her complex, multifaceted identity.

Parallelism and Indecision

Mora's use of parallelism further elucidates the speaker's indecision and internal conflict. By juxtaposing the attire and demeanor of the Caucasian and Latino women, Mora highlights the speaker's ambivalence towards both cultural groups. The "crisp beige suits" of the Caucasian women denote a sense of professionalism and unity, yet they also suggest a lack of individuality and emotional authenticity. In contrast, the "faded dresses" of the Latino women reflect warmth and genuine happiness, albeit overshadowed by economic hardship. This sartorial parallelism mirrors the speaker's conflict: she admires the professional achievements of the Caucasian women but yearns for the authentic joy and cultural richness of the Latino women. This duality reflects the broader societal challenge faced by individuals with bi-social identities, who often feel compelled to prioritize one cultural affiliation over the other.

Conclusion

In "Sonrisas," Pat Mora masterfully captures the nuanced experience of navigating a bi-social identity. Through sound similarity, metaphor, and parallelism, she reveals the speaker's struggle to reconcile her dual cultural heritage within a society that pressures individuals to conform to a singular identity. This poem not only highlights the personal turmoil of existing between two worlds but also challenges the reader to consider the value of embracing a multifaceted identity. By refusing to choose between her cultural backgrounds, the speaker embodies the resilience and complexity of bi-social individuals who forge their unique paths amidst societal expectations. In doing so, Mora's work serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty and strength found within cultural diversity and the importance of honoring one's complete identity.

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