Question

Read Pat Mora’s poem quoted in "The Leader in the Mirror."

Immigrants

wrap their babies in the American flag,

feed them mashed hot dogs and apple pie,

name them Bill and Daisy,

buy them blonde dolls that blink blue

eyes or a football and tiny cleats

before the baby can even walk,

speak to them in thick English

Now read the excerpt from Mora’s essay "The Leader in the Mirror."

My own father was once a paper boy for the newspaper hosting the banquet. I might not have known that fact, nor his long history of hard work, had I not been listening to him with my tape recorder a few years ago. I did not want the students to wait as long as I had to begin preserving the rich inheritance of their family voices. The strength of their heritage would give them the courage to face the future.

How are the two passages different?

In the poem, Mora writes about immigrant families’ desire to fit in. In the essay, she writes about the importance of remembering one’s heritage.
In the poem, Mora writes about her own family heritage. In the essay, she writes about immigrant families in general.
The poem uses flowery language, while the language in the essay is scientific.
The poem is written with a rhyming pattern, while the essay is not written in rhyme.

Answer 1

"In the poem, Mora writes about immigrant families’ desire to fit in. In the essay, she writes about the importance of remembering one’s heritage."

Reason: The poem lists ways immigrants try to assimilate (American flag, hot dogs, English names), while the essay emphasizes preserving and learning family history as a source of strength.