American History

What does Elena’s mother mean when she warns Elena that she is “heading for humiliation and pain” (26)?

Elena and Eugene’s fathers never speak in the story. Why do you think Cofer relegates these characters to the background?

How would you describe the relationship between Elena and her mother? How does this relationship contrast with that between Eugene and his mother?

Would you describe “American History” as a coming-of-age story? Why or why not?

Would you describe “American History” as a roman-à-clef (that is, a story in which characters, plot, etc. correspond to real-world people, events, etc.)? Why or why not?

Describe Cofer’s use of irony in the text, particularly in the story’s first paragraph describing Elena’s Paterson neighborhood. How does this set the tone for the remainder of the story?

Bilingualism is key to Cofer’s writing. In some places, she explains Spanish terms. In others, Cofer facilitates understanding of Spanish words through context. How does this usage of Spanish and English reinforce the protagonist’s feelings of separateness? How might the integration of these languages in the text also collapse the sense of separation?

What is the significance of the title—both literally and figuratively—in the context of the story?