Which excerpt from “Daughter of Invention” contains language that best represents the preservation of Dominican values? If her husband insisted she speak in Spanish to the girls so they wouldn’t forget their native tongue, she’d snap, “When in Rome, do unto the Romans.” Yoyo and her sisters were forgetting a lot of their Spanish, and their father’s formal, florid diction was hard to understand. “What is wrong? I will tell you what is wrong. It show no gratitude. It is boastful. I celebrate myself? The best student learns to destroy the teacher?” “This is America, Papi, America! You are not in a savage country anymore!”
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
In the excerpt from “Daughter of Invention” by Julia Alvarez, the language that best represents the preservation of Dominican values is highlighted through the father’s insistence on maintaining their native language and cultural identity amidst the pressures of Americanization. The phrase “When in Rome, do unto the Romans,” spoken by the mother, illustrates the conflict between assimilating into American culture and retaining their Dominican roots. This clash is further emphasized by the father’s formal Spanish, which symbolizes the richness of their cultural heritage, contrasting sharply with the daughters’ struggle to hold onto their language and identity.
The father’s expressions of frustration, particularly in his broken English, reveal his deep commitment to their cultural values. Phrases like “It show no gratitude” and “It is boastful” reflect a traditional Dominican perspective that emphasizes respect for one’s heritage and family. His lament about the loss of Spanish among his daughters is a poignant acknowledgment of the cultural erosion that can occur when families immigrate.
Moreover, the daughters’ retort, “This is America, Papi, America! You are not in a savage country anymore!” encapsulates the tension between their desire to integrate into American society and the preservation of their Dominican identity. The reference to a “savage country” serves to elevate their father’s homeland while also dismissing the perceived backwardness of their past.
Ultimately, this excerpt captures the complexities of cultural identity, highlighting the struggles faced by immigrant families in balancing the preservation of their native culture with the realities of living in a new country. The father’s passionate defense of their language and values illustrates the importance of cultural heritage and the ongoing battle against assimilation, making it a powerful representation of Dominican values in the face of change.