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Student Sample
Final
Akopyan
May 28, 2015
Identity
Identity cannot be found or fabricated but emerges from within when one has the courage
to let go. Many young people have a difficult time understanding or accepting their identity.
Many adolescents go through a complex stage that they begin to question their role and society
in search for themselves. Fortunately, most adolescents are able to end their fight and eventually
discover their identity, but they can only do this when they fully accept who they are. In Sandra
Cisnero’s, House on Mango Street, and Sherman Alexie’s, The Absolutely True Diary of a PartTime Indian, the novels’ protagonists show how unique experiences along with biological make
up determine an individual identity.
Ultimately, an individual’s biological make up is given and cannot be changed. It is has
been proven in science that human cells normally contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of
46. Specifically, these chromosomes determine an individual’s race, gender, and physical
appearance are passed down from their parents to their offspring through genotype and
phenotype. According to Biology, an anthology, “The genotype is the genetic makeup of a cell,
an organism, or an individual usually with reference to a specific characteristic under
consideration” (Nowicki 362). This means what is passed down from a child’s parents is
through cells and organisms are unchangeable. A child is who they are in the way were born as
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biology determines him or her, and their genes and chromosomes cannot be changed. In addition,
these genotypes work to form the phenotypes, which create an individual’s physical appearance.
Genotypes combined with phenotypes are part of a child’s born identity. Sure, as they grow and
mature an individual may dye their hair, put in contacts, or have surgery to alter their
appearance. However, these changes are not permanent and do not change the genetic make-up
that will then be passed on to their offspring.
Psychology
Which psychological theory and theorist do you believe?
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Teach your readers about the topic and this idea- do it well!
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How does this theory play into identity?
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Why does it help to shape an individual’s character?
Gender expectations are scary in that often they can set boundaries. Esperanza, the
protagonist in Sandra Cisnero’s, House on Mango Street, is a young Latin female who tries to
break the belief that women have to be homemakers as it is set by the Latin culture and gender
expectations that come with the culture. In the collection of vignettes, Esperanza explores the
role of women and recognizes that women in her community are depressed and caged. A prime
example of this is her grandmother who used to be a “wild horse of a woman,” but upon
marriage “she looked out the window her whole life, the way so many women sit their sadness
on an elbow” (Cisneros 11). Esperanza’s grandmother had the opportunity to become something
more, but instead her gender expectations brought on by her culture forced her to feel trapped
and imprisoned within her own home, so she sat in sadness most of her days. Esperanza’s
grandmother was young, wild, and free. Sadly, her culture and gender which she was born with
determined her future and that was to be a depressed housewife. This experience combined with
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those of the rest of the women helped to shape Esperanza into the strong, independent, confident
woman that she grew to be. Esperanza fought her roots, and her gender expectations; in fact she
disliked being a female and having to follow the set expectations so much so that she begins to
break these traditions: “I have begun her own quiet war. Simple. Sure. I am one who leaves the
table like a man, without putting back the chair or picking up the plate (89). Esperanza begins to
fight back in order to achieve more, to work past the boundaries that are set for her simply
because she’s a Latina female. The quiet war she begins is to break the stereotypes that are
bestowed upon these young Latin females. Additionally, it is to change the way future
generations see women within her community and culture. Though Esperanza fought being a
female, being Latina, and hated being a member of her community it is not until she accepts
these factors due to her experiences that she develops a strong identity. Her nature combined
with her nurture work together to shape the strong, independent women that she is.
Next character….
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prove your opinion using another character
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make sure all aspects of your opinion are addressed
You
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how did you find your identity?
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Prove your opinion with your own evidence.
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Use computer science IF YOU TOOK IT. If not its okay!
Conclusion….