ENG2614 Assignment 3 2025
2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 26 August 2025
SECTION 1 – ESSAY PREPARATION
The poem Stereotypes by Paulette Martinez explores the painful effects of racial prejudice
on an individual’s sense of identity and worth. The central theme of the poem is how harmful
stereotypes reduce a person to a single, shallow image, ignoring their full humanity. The
poet develops this theme by showing how no matter what she does, she is constantly
judged through the lens of her skin colour. The repetition of negative assumptions such as
“Mexicans are only good for mowing lawns” demonstrates how society imposes fixed labels
that overshadow personal achievements or individuality. The theme is carried forward by
contrasting the poet’s inner value with the destructive external judgments that attempt to
define her.
The poem uses powerful metaphors to express the damage stereotypes cause. The most
striking metaphor is when the poet says, “I am a forest and stereotypes are the fire; they
burn me away until there is nothing left.”
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
SECTION 1 – ESSAY PREPARATION
The poem Stereotypes by Paulette Martinez explores the painful effects of racial
prejudice on an individual’s sense of identity and worth. The central theme of the
poem is how harmful stereotypes reduce a person to a single, shallow image,
ignoring their full humanity. The poet develops this theme by showing how no matter
what she does, she is constantly judged through the lens of her skin colour. The
repetition of negative assumptions such as “Mexicans are only good for mowing
lawns” demonstrates how society imposes fixed labels that overshadow personal
achievements or individuality. The theme is carried forward by contrasting the poet’s
inner value with the destructive external judgments that attempt to define her.
The poem uses powerful metaphors to express the damage stereotypes cause. The
most striking metaphor is when the poet says, “I am a forest and stereotypes are the
fire; they burn me away until there is nothing left.” This image portrays the self as
rich, alive, and complex like a forest, but one that can be destroyed by the flames of
prejudice. The metaphor not only captures the destructive nature of stereotypes but
also suggests how fragile one’s identity can feel under constant attack. Another
metaphor appears when she describes being “bound to my skin color.” Here, skin
becomes a prison, representing how her racial identity traps her in other people’s
narrow perceptions.
The stereotype illustrated in the poem is the degrading assumption that Mexicans
are only suited for manual labour, such as mowing lawns. This stereotype implies
limited intelligence, skill, or potential. The poet confronts this directly by repeating the
societal claim and showing how it makes her feel “worthless.” By naming the
stereotype, she demonstrates how it reduces her identity to something less than
human, stripping away individuality and dignity.
In addition to metaphor, the poem also uses repetition and contrast as literary
devices to emphasise the stereotype’s effect. The opening lines, “I’m tired of the
typical questions. / No my dad doesn’t mow lawns and yes I have papers,” show how
constant questioning about her legitimacy and background has become a wearying
burden. The repetition of rejection—“no” and “yes”—shows how the speaker is
forced to defend herself again and again. The direct, conversational tone contrasts
2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 26 August 2025
SECTION 1 – ESSAY PREPARATION
The poem Stereotypes by Paulette Martinez explores the painful effects of racial prejudice
on an individual’s sense of identity and worth. The central theme of the poem is how harmful
stereotypes reduce a person to a single, shallow image, ignoring their full humanity. The
poet develops this theme by showing how no matter what she does, she is constantly
judged through the lens of her skin colour. The repetition of negative assumptions such as
“Mexicans are only good for mowing lawns” demonstrates how society imposes fixed labels
that overshadow personal achievements or individuality. The theme is carried forward by
contrasting the poet’s inner value with the destructive external judgments that attempt to
define her.
The poem uses powerful metaphors to express the damage stereotypes cause. The most
striking metaphor is when the poet says, “I am a forest and stereotypes are the fire; they
burn me away until there is nothing left.”
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
SECTION 1 – ESSAY PREPARATION
The poem Stereotypes by Paulette Martinez explores the painful effects of racial
prejudice on an individual’s sense of identity and worth. The central theme of the
poem is how harmful stereotypes reduce a person to a single, shallow image,
ignoring their full humanity. The poet develops this theme by showing how no matter
what she does, she is constantly judged through the lens of her skin colour. The
repetition of negative assumptions such as “Mexicans are only good for mowing
lawns” demonstrates how society imposes fixed labels that overshadow personal
achievements or individuality. The theme is carried forward by contrasting the poet’s
inner value with the destructive external judgments that attempt to define her.
The poem uses powerful metaphors to express the damage stereotypes cause. The
most striking metaphor is when the poet says, “I am a forest and stereotypes are the
fire; they burn me away until there is nothing left.” This image portrays the self as
rich, alive, and complex like a forest, but one that can be destroyed by the flames of
prejudice. The metaphor not only captures the destructive nature of stereotypes but
also suggests how fragile one’s identity can feel under constant attack. Another
metaphor appears when she describes being “bound to my skin color.” Here, skin
becomes a prison, representing how her racial identity traps her in other people’s
narrow perceptions.
The stereotype illustrated in the poem is the degrading assumption that Mexicans
are only suited for manual labour, such as mowing lawns. This stereotype implies
limited intelligence, skill, or potential. The poet confronts this directly by repeating the
societal claim and showing how it makes her feel “worthless.” By naming the
stereotype, she demonstrates how it reduces her identity to something less than
human, stripping away individuality and dignity.
In addition to metaphor, the poem also uses repetition and contrast as literary
devices to emphasise the stereotype’s effect. The opening lines, “I’m tired of the
typical questions. / No my dad doesn’t mow lawns and yes I have papers,” show how
constant questioning about her legitimacy and background has become a wearying
burden. The repetition of rejection—“no” and “yes”—shows how the speaker is
forced to defend herself again and again. The direct, conversational tone contrasts
