Question

The following is an excerpt from “La Güera” by Cherríe Moraga: I remember all of my mother’s stories, probably much better than she realizes. She is a fine story-teller, recalling every event of her life with the vividness of the present, noting each detail right down to the cut and color of her dress. I remember stories of her being pulled out of school at the ages of five, seven, nine, and eleven to work in the fields, along with her brothers and sisters . . . . I remember stories of my mother lying about her age in order to get a job as a hat-check girl at Agua Caliente Racetrack in Tijuana. At fourteen, she was the main support of the family. I can still see her walking home alone at 3 a.m., only to turn all of her salary and tips over to her mother, who was pregnant again. . . . Meanwhile, I was college-prep in school. After classes, I would go with my mother to fill out job applications for her, or write checks for her at the supermarket. We would have the scenario all worked out ahead of time. My mother would sign the check before we’d get to the store. Then, as we’d approach the checkstand, she would say—within earshot of the cashier—“oh honey, you go ‘head and make out the check,” as if she couldn’t be bothered with such an insignificant detail. I was educated, and wore it with a keen sense of pride and satisfaction, my head propped up with the knowledge, from my mother, that my life would be easier than hers. What is the main purpose of these paragraphs?

Answer 1

The excerpt from “La Güera” primarily serves to highlight the different life experiences between the author, who benefited from educational opportunities, and her mother, who made significant sacrifices to support her family.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main purpose of these paragraphs in “La Güera” by Cherríe Moraga is to contrast the life experiences of the author with those of her mother, embodying themes of hardship, familial responsibility, and generational progress. Moraga recalls her mother’s vivid stories, particularly highlighting the sacrifices her mother made, including working at a young age to financially support her family. This contrasts with Moraga's own experiences of education and opportunity, which she recognizes as a result of her mother's struggles. The narrative illustrates the different worlds each of them inhabited growing up and serves as a reflection on the evolution of a family's journey across generations.

The main purpose of these paragraphs is to highlight the stark contrast between the narrator's mother's life and the narrator's own life, as well as the pride and gratitude the narrator feels towards her mother. The paragraphs vividly describe the hardships and sacrifices the mother endured, such as working in the fields at a young age and supporting her family at a young age. In contrast, the narrator is educated and has a more comfortable life, thanks to her mother's efforts. The purpose is to emphasize the narrator's appreciation for her mother's sacrifices and the opportunities she has been given.