Critical Questions: “The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a
Girl Named Maria”
1. Make a comprehensive list of the musical, literary, and
cultural allusions made in this piece. What do such allusions
require of the reader?
2. In your view, what is the inferred thesis of this piece?
3. Cofer relies heavily on narrative and reflection in her essay.
Give five examples of stories and/or reflection of the past Cofer
uses to make support her thesis.
4. Make a comprehensive list of the stereotypes of Latin women
that Cofer mentions in the essay.
5. What are the cultural attributes of Puerto Rican culture and
how have these been “lost in translation” when encountered
outside Puerto Rico?
6. Make list of 5 critical questions that you would like to discuss
with the class based on this essay.