, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE TO ANSWER YOUR ASSIGNMENT
SECTION 1 – Essay Preparation
1. Read the poem, “Stereotypes”, written by Paulette Martinez, and available from this website
link: https://hellopoetry.com/poem/1495420/stereotypes/
In a paragraph of no more than 500 words, reflect on the following questions:
What is the theme of this poem? How is the theme developed?
What metaphors are used in the poem?
Which stereotype is illustrated in the poem?
What other literary elements are used to illustrate the stereotype?
What feelings are expressed in the poem? Use or quote examples from the poem to illustrate
how these feelings are conveyed.
What do we learn about stereotypes and their effects on people through this poem?
The theme of Paulette Martinez's poem Stereotypes is a powerful exploration of how racial and
cultural stereotypes can limit individuals and distort their identities. The speaker is frustrated and
tired of being boxed in by societal expectations based on their skin color, particularly the stereotype
that "Mexicans are only good for mowing lawns." This stereotype reduces the speaker's worth to an
oversimplified, limiting view of their identity, making them feel both oppressed and powerless. The
theme of the poem is developed through the speaker's reflection on these assumptions and their
impact on their life. The speaker repeatedly asserts that no matter what they do, they cannot escape
these stereotypes, reinforcing the theme of being trapped by society's narrow perceptions.
The poem uses a powerful metaphor to illustrate the destructive nature of stereotypes: the speaker
compares themselves to a forest and stereotypes to a fire. "I am a forest and stereotypes are the fire;
they burn me away until there is nothing left." This metaphor highlights the way stereotypes
consume and destroy the individuality of the speaker, much like fire destroys a forest. The forest
represents a rich, complex identity, while the fire symbolizes the reduction of that identity to a
one-dimensional, harmful stereotype.
The stereotype illustrated in the poem is that of Mexicans being only suited for manual labor,
specifically mowing lawns. This stereotype is not just an isolated belief but a pervasive, limiting idea
that disregards the speaker's full humanity and potential. The poem critiques this idea by expressing
the pain and frustration it causes.
Other literary elements used to reinforce the stereotype include repetition and imagery. The repeated
phrases, such as "Nothing I do seems to change" and "I’m bound to my skin color," emphasize the
helplessness the speaker feels in trying to break free from these societal expectations. The imagery of
fire burning away the forest further conveys the destructive power of stereotypes. Additionally, the
speaker’s rejection of these labels, especially in the opening lines ("No my dad doesn't mow lawns
and yes I have papers"), serves as a defiant counterpoint to the stereotype.
The poem conveys feelings of anger, frustration, and worthlessness. The speaker is tired of
constantly defending themselves against stereotypes and is emotionally drained by the ongoing
struggle to assert their value beyond these shallow assumptions. The lines “I am worthless” and
“they burn me away until there is nothing left” vividly capture the emotional toll of living under such
stereotypes.
SECTION 1 – Essay Preparation
1. Read the poem, “Stereotypes”, written by Paulette Martinez, and available from this website
link: https://hellopoetry.com/poem/1495420/stereotypes/
In a paragraph of no more than 500 words, reflect on the following questions:
What is the theme of this poem? How is the theme developed?
What metaphors are used in the poem?
Which stereotype is illustrated in the poem?
What other literary elements are used to illustrate the stereotype?
What feelings are expressed in the poem? Use or quote examples from the poem to illustrate
how these feelings are conveyed.
What do we learn about stereotypes and their effects on people through this poem?
The theme of Paulette Martinez's poem Stereotypes is a powerful exploration of how racial and
cultural stereotypes can limit individuals and distort their identities. The speaker is frustrated and
tired of being boxed in by societal expectations based on their skin color, particularly the stereotype
that "Mexicans are only good for mowing lawns." This stereotype reduces the speaker's worth to an
oversimplified, limiting view of their identity, making them feel both oppressed and powerless. The
theme of the poem is developed through the speaker's reflection on these assumptions and their
impact on their life. The speaker repeatedly asserts that no matter what they do, they cannot escape
these stereotypes, reinforcing the theme of being trapped by society's narrow perceptions.
The poem uses a powerful metaphor to illustrate the destructive nature of stereotypes: the speaker
compares themselves to a forest and stereotypes to a fire. "I am a forest and stereotypes are the fire;
they burn me away until there is nothing left." This metaphor highlights the way stereotypes
consume and destroy the individuality of the speaker, much like fire destroys a forest. The forest
represents a rich, complex identity, while the fire symbolizes the reduction of that identity to a
one-dimensional, harmful stereotype.
The stereotype illustrated in the poem is that of Mexicans being only suited for manual labor,
specifically mowing lawns. This stereotype is not just an isolated belief but a pervasive, limiting idea
that disregards the speaker's full humanity and potential. The poem critiques this idea by expressing
the pain and frustration it causes.
Other literary elements used to reinforce the stereotype include repetition and imagery. The repeated
phrases, such as "Nothing I do seems to change" and "I’m bound to my skin color," emphasize the
helplessness the speaker feels in trying to break free from these societal expectations. The imagery of
fire burning away the forest further conveys the destructive power of stereotypes. Additionally, the
speaker’s rejection of these labels, especially in the opening lines ("No my dad doesn't mow lawns
and yes I have papers"), serves as a defiant counterpoint to the stereotype.
The poem conveys feelings of anger, frustration, and worthlessness. The speaker is tired of
constantly defending themselves against stereotypes and is emotionally drained by the ongoing
struggle to assert their value beyond these shallow assumptions. The lines “I am worthless” and
“they burn me away until there is nothing left” vividly capture the emotional toll of living under such
stereotypes.
