ENG2614
ASSIGNMENT 3 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 26 AUGUST 2025
, Applied English Literature for Intermediate Phase Home Language
Section 1
Reflection on the Poem “Stereotypes” by Paulette Martinez
The theme of the poem “Stereotypes” is the emotional pain and destructive impact of
racial and ethnic stereotyping. The poet reflects on the way society reduces people to
negative assumptions based on their skin color or ethnic background, which strips them
of individuality and dignity. This theme is developed through the speaker’s personal
experiences of being constantly judged and devalued because of their Mexican identity.
The opening line, “I’m tired of the typical questions”, immediately establishes the
exhaustion and frustration caused by repeated prejudice, while the statement “Nothing I
do seems to change the fact / that I’m bound to my skin color because of stereotypes”
highlights the inescapable and unfair burden imposed by society.
The poem makes effective use of metaphors to convey its message. The most striking
metaphor is “I am a forest and stereotypes are the fire; / they burn me away until there
is nothing left.” Here, the speaker compares themselves to a forest, representing life,
growth, and potential, while stereotypes are likened to a fire, representing destruction
and erasure. This metaphor communicates the emotional devastation and
dehumanizing effect that constant stereotyping can have on a person’s identity and self-
worth.
The stereotype illustrated in the poem is the assumption that Mexicans are only suited
for low-paying, menial jobs such as mowing lawns, and that they are often
undocumented immigrants. This is explicitly stated in the line, “No my dad doesn’t mow
lawns and yes I have papers”. This stereotype reflects a broader societal bias that
undermines and devalues Mexican or Latino communities by reducing them to a single,
negative narrative.
Other literary elements used to illustrate the stereotype include imagery, repetition,
and tone. The imagery of fire consuming a forest vividly captures the sense of personal
ASSIGNMENT 3 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 26 AUGUST 2025
, Applied English Literature for Intermediate Phase Home Language
Section 1
Reflection on the Poem “Stereotypes” by Paulette Martinez
The theme of the poem “Stereotypes” is the emotional pain and destructive impact of
racial and ethnic stereotyping. The poet reflects on the way society reduces people to
negative assumptions based on their skin color or ethnic background, which strips them
of individuality and dignity. This theme is developed through the speaker’s personal
experiences of being constantly judged and devalued because of their Mexican identity.
The opening line, “I’m tired of the typical questions”, immediately establishes the
exhaustion and frustration caused by repeated prejudice, while the statement “Nothing I
do seems to change the fact / that I’m bound to my skin color because of stereotypes”
highlights the inescapable and unfair burden imposed by society.
The poem makes effective use of metaphors to convey its message. The most striking
metaphor is “I am a forest and stereotypes are the fire; / they burn me away until there
is nothing left.” Here, the speaker compares themselves to a forest, representing life,
growth, and potential, while stereotypes are likened to a fire, representing destruction
and erasure. This metaphor communicates the emotional devastation and
dehumanizing effect that constant stereotyping can have on a person’s identity and self-
worth.
The stereotype illustrated in the poem is the assumption that Mexicans are only suited
for low-paying, menial jobs such as mowing lawns, and that they are often
undocumented immigrants. This is explicitly stated in the line, “No my dad doesn’t mow
lawns and yes I have papers”. This stereotype reflects a broader societal bias that
undermines and devalues Mexican or Latino communities by reducing them to a single,
negative narrative.
Other literary elements used to illustrate the stereotype include imagery, repetition,
and tone. The imagery of fire consuming a forest vividly captures the sense of personal
