ENG2614
Assignment 3
Due 26 August 2025
, ENG2614
Assignment 3
Due 26 August 2025
Stereotypes
I’m tired of the typical questions.
No my dad doesn't mow lawns and yes I have papers.
Nothing I do seems to change the fact
that I’m bound to my skin color because of stereotypes.
“Mexicans are only good for mowing lawns”
Therefore, I am worthless.
I am a forest and stereotypes are the fire;
they burn me away until there is nothing left.
Two responses addressing the themes and literary elements of the poem.
Reflection on “Stereotypes” by Paulette Martinez
In “Stereotypes,” Paulette Martinez explores the destructive impact of reductive labeling
on individual identity, particularly for members of marginalized communities. The poem
delivers a powerful message about how stereotypes, often disguised as casual
questions or assumptions, can erode a person’s sense of self and dignity over time.
Theme and Its Development
The central theme of the poem is the erosion of selfhood through the cumulative effect
of stereotypes. Martinez develops this theme through a first-person narrative, in which
the speaker recounts invasive questions such as “What does your father do?” and “Are
you legal?” These questions reflect a societal tendency to define individuals based on
ethnicity, class, or immigration status. As the poem progresses, the tone intensifies,
culminating in the image of a fire that “burns her away, leaving nothing behind.”
Assignment 3
Due 26 August 2025
, ENG2614
Assignment 3
Due 26 August 2025
Stereotypes
I’m tired of the typical questions.
No my dad doesn't mow lawns and yes I have papers.
Nothing I do seems to change the fact
that I’m bound to my skin color because of stereotypes.
“Mexicans are only good for mowing lawns”
Therefore, I am worthless.
I am a forest and stereotypes are the fire;
they burn me away until there is nothing left.
Two responses addressing the themes and literary elements of the poem.
Reflection on “Stereotypes” by Paulette Martinez
In “Stereotypes,” Paulette Martinez explores the destructive impact of reductive labeling
on individual identity, particularly for members of marginalized communities. The poem
delivers a powerful message about how stereotypes, often disguised as casual
questions or assumptions, can erode a person’s sense of self and dignity over time.
Theme and Its Development
The central theme of the poem is the erosion of selfhood through the cumulative effect
of stereotypes. Martinez develops this theme through a first-person narrative, in which
the speaker recounts invasive questions such as “What does your father do?” and “Are
you legal?” These questions reflect a societal tendency to define individuals based on
ethnicity, class, or immigration status. As the poem progresses, the tone intensifies,
culminating in the image of a fire that “burns her away, leaving nothing behind.”
