logo

48 pages 1 hour read

Judith Ortiz Cofer

American History

Judith Ortiz CoferFiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1993

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Introduction

“American History”

  • Genre: Fiction; historical short story
  • Originally Published: 1993
  • Reading Level/Interest: Grades 9-12; college/adult
  • Structure/Length: Approx. 9 pages; approx. 18 minutes on audio
  • Protagonist and Central Conflict: Fourteen-year-old Elena finds it challenging to feel sadness for President John F. Kennedy on the day of his assassination; she opts to follow through with plans to study with Eugene, a boy in her history class.
  • Potential Sensitivity Issues: Racism and discrimination

Judith Ortiz Cofer, Author

  • Bio: 1952-2016; born in Puerto Rico; emigrated to the United States at a young age; became a bilingual teacher after college; published first poetry collection in the 1980s; taught English and creative writing at the University of Georgia; author of full-length fiction and nonfiction as well as short fiction and poetry
  • Other Works: The Latin Deli (short story and prose collection; 1993); Woman in Front of the Sun: On Becoming a Writer (2000); The Meaning of Consuelo (2003); Call Me Maria (2004)
  • Awards: Anisfield-Wolf Book Award (for The Latin Deli, in which this short story appears; 1994)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

  • ·Migration and Displacement
  • Changing Demographics in Northern Communities
  • Racism and Ethnic Discrimination

 

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:

  • Gain an understanding of the social, racial, and historical contexts of immigration and Changing Demographics in Northern Communities at the heart of the conflict in “American History.
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 48 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,350+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools