Explain what happened to Elena and her children after they immigrated from Mexico to American and adapted to the new language, English.

you are to respond to my classmates over all response and give feedback the response should be (100-200 words)
classmates response
On “Elena”
Explain what happened to Elena and her children after they immigrated from Mexico to American and adapted to the new language, English. What reactions does she receive from her family members when she is struggling with English?
Moving to America made Elena’s life quite different. When her and her family immigrated to America from Mexico her children adapted to English well but, she did not. She misses how things were back in Mexico, “I remember how I’d smile / listening to my little ones” (2-3). Her children speak and most of the time she feels excluded because she cannot fully understand what they are saying. She misses the times where she could understand the jokes and songs her children would sing and now, she is feeling lost. She is embarrassed that she cannot speak English clearly but, tries to learn by buying a book. Her husband gives a frown, and her children respond with laughter when she struggles to pronounce words. Moving to America was supposed to be a change for the better but, instead it has drifted the family apart and they have lost connection.
What attitude does Elena show about the communication gap between herself and her children? What thoughts and desire toward her children does she display, especially in the last part? “for if I stop trying, I will be deaf / when my children need my help”(21-22).
Elena is embarrassed that she cannot regularly be a part of her children’s conversations. She accepts that she needs to learn English not only for herself but, also for those around her. She recognizes that the lack of knowing English has been the main reason for the division happening in her household. She feels isolated and alone when her children are speaking Neligh. Elena wants to be able to be there for her children when they need help and to do this it is vital, she learns English. She wants to rebuild the connection between her family and knows that giving up on English is not an option; She says, “for if I stop trying, I will be deaf”. She feels like an outcast and wants to make the necessary moves to rebuild the connection between her and her children, Elena wants to feel confident when speaking English and leaning will allow for her to succeed for herself and family.

this is my response to the questions (this is just so you could see what i wrote)
“Explain what happened to Elena and her children after they immigrated from Mexico to American and adapted to the new language, English. What reactions does she receive from her family members when she is struggling with English”
“Elena” talks about how a mother was not well educated in the Spanish language and how her family moved to America. The mother wants to learn English, but her husband discourages her from learning. The line “My Spanish isn’t good enough” shows that the mother may lack some primary education due to her past as a Mexican who they were taught as a housewife. Also, in another line, “I purchased a book to study English, My husband scowled, drank beer,” this indicates the setting in which it could have taken place where a woman’s job was mainly to take care of the children and house and should not be heard. The mother speaks about a situation in the poem where she states, “I stand by the oven, feel dumb, alone,” which means that she is not a part of the family since she cannot keep up a conversation.
Similarly, some words in the poem show how the Mexican culture made the woman hide to acquire some skills “Occasionally I take my English book and bolt myself in the bathroom.” The woman wants an improvement in her English, but her husband doesn’t like the idea since she might be smart than him, as experienced by the oldest son in the line “My eldest son, “Mama, he doesn’t need you to be good; then he is.”
“What attitude does Elena show about the communication gap between herself and her children? What thoughts and desire toward her children does she display, especially in the last part?: “for if I stop trying, I will be deaf / when my children need my help”
In the poem “Elena,” the author talks about the Mexican’s treatment and how they categorize women in roles, including being housewives or maids. The speaker says that women do not have to worry about studying since they have a man who can take care of them. The author also shows that women should improve themselves for their children to help them when their time comes. Most people want to shut down the Mexican culture, stopping them from crossing the border since they want a good life for their children where they can see them grow happily, safe and healthy. In conclusion, the poem indicates that although the immigrants will be stereotyped according to their origin and language, a day will come when Mexicans will be accepted and not judged.

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