Final answer:
The theme of the poem “The History of Puerto Rico” is the exploration of Puerto Rico's colonial history and its impact on the Puerto Rican people. The poem delves into the struggles and challenges faced by Puerto Ricans under colonial rule, their quest for independence, and the complex identity of being both Puerto Rican and American.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme of the poem “The History of Puerto Rico”
The theme of the poem “The History of Puerto Rico” is the exploration of Puerto Rico's colonial history and its impact on the Puerto Rican people. The poem delves into the struggles and challenges faced by Puerto Ricans under colonial rule, their quest for independence, and the complex identity of being both Puerto Rican and American.
Key lines and imagery that reflect the theme:
-
- 'Populated for centuries by Amerindian peoples, the island of Puerto Rico was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493, following Columbus's second voyage to the Americas.'
-
- 'In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule, Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War.'
-
- 'Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917.'
-
- 'In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self-government.'