"Only Daughter" is a short story written by Sandra Cisneros that tells the story of a young girl growing up as the only daughter in a family with six sons. The story is narrated by the protagonist, who reflects on her relationship with her father and the expectations placed on her as a daughter in a traditional Mexican-American family.
Throughout the story, the protagonist struggles with the conflicting desires to fulfill her father's expectations and to be her own person. On one hand, she wants to make her father proud and follow in his footsteps by becoming a doctor, but on the other hand, she feels trapped by the narrow role that is expected of her as a woman in her culture.
One of the themes of the story is the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The protagonist's father is a strict and traditional man who expects his children to follow a certain path in life, and he has high hopes for his only daughter to become a doctor. However, the protagonist is not interested in pursuing a career in medicine, and she feels that her father's expectations are suffocating her. She longs to break free from the expectations placed on her and explore her own interests and passions.
Another theme of the story is the struggle for identity and self-discovery. The protagonist is trying to find her place in the world and define herself on her own terms, rather than being defined by the expectations of others. She grapples with the tension between her desire to make her father proud and her desire to be her own person, and she eventually decides to pursue her own dreams and goals, even if they do not align with her father's expectations.
The story also touches on the theme of gender roles and the unequal expectations placed on men and women in traditional cultures. The protagonist observes that her brothers are given more freedom and autonomy than she is, and she feels that she is constantly being judged and scrutinized by her father and society. Despite this, she is determined to forge her own path and not be limited by the expectations placed on her as a woman.
In conclusion, "Only Daughter" is a poignant and thought-provoking story that explores themes of conformity, identity, and gender roles. It speaks to the universal struggles that many people face as they navigate the expectations placed on them by society and their loved ones, and it encourages readers to think about the importance of following their own dreams and passions.
📗 Literary Analysis Essay: Only Daughter by Sandra Cisneros
She talks about how isolated she felt being the only girl. She begins her writing by mentioning that she had six brothers but even if she had six brothers, she was still lonely since her brothers were embarrassed to play with their sister. Clearly, positive figures influenced how the Chicano community acted then and now. It is important to note that this story has so many different levels, each of which intertwines with the other, giving a better understanding of the cultural identity of the main character. Society is in the mindset of not taking initiative on issues. She emigrated, with her parents, to the United States at the age of six Rose 1. She had to say goodbye to college and Italy when she had to take a job waitressing to keep a roof over her head.
"Only Daughter" Sandra Cisneros: Analysis Of The Topic Of Self
Cisneros states, "He didn't mean any by that mistranslation. Cisneros felt ignored and rejected by her father. Introduction One may feel disconnected from their family or not accepted by them. Cisneros keeps talking about Spanish, but now says that whenever she is talking to her pets, a lover, or small kids she uses the Spanish language. Just a Girl The essay Only Daughter is a about a writer who grew up the only girl of six brothers. The male dominance begins at a very young age. Cisneros says, "After four year in college, two more in graduate school and still no husband," and that her father is snoring about how he wasted all of his education.
Only Daughter Sandra Cisneros Analysis
Even though he told Nora that he will settle the problem and their life could back to normal, what he cares most is actually his reputation. Cisneros emphasizes the fact that her father degraded her and failed to recognize her goals in every day life. The movie tells the story of his constant battle between Monty and Jennifer, over the custody of the children. Despite the fact that she had such a great amount of potential to be a writer, her dad, siblings, and societal norms obviously attempted to smother her. As the only daughter in a family of six, she was frequently the target of scorn. Nora came to the realization that she was allowed to think for herself, regardless of what the man she left thought. I agree with Cisneros seeking for her father 's approval but I don 't think she should make changes in herself just to make him… How Does Jane Austen Use Social Criticism In Pride And Prejudice Neither of them liked the pressure that their mother was putting on them to marry, but they both waited.
