Identity Analysis Paper/Speech - Names/Nombres - Yasmin Abouzeid

In the personal essay "Names-Nomdes" by Julia Alvarez, the theme of identity is explored. Alvarez shares her struggle to find her identity as a Dominican-American immigrant in the United States. She discusses how names and cultural backgrounds shape our sense of self and how we can find acceptance in a world that judges us based on ethnicity and race. Alvarez's own struggle to fit in with her American classmates and her Dominican community highlights the tension between her two identities. The power of names is also explored, as Alvarez's name represents her cultural identity and sense of self. Family and community play an important role in finding a sense of belonging and support. Alvarez emphasizes the importance of embracing our cultural heritage and seeking out communities that can help us find acceptance and resilience. Today, I want to talk about the theme of identity in the personal essay Names-Nomdes by Julia Alvarez. This essay tells the story of Alvarez's struggle to find her own identity as a Dominican-American immigrant growing up in the United States. Through her experiences, Alvarez shows us how our names and cultural backgrounds can shape our sense of self and how we can find a sense of belonging and acceptance in a world that often judges us based on our ethnicity and race. One of the key ways that Names-Nomdes explores the theme of identity is through its portrayal of Alvarez's own struggle to find her place in the world. Throughout the essay, we can see how Alvarez is torn between her Dominican heritage and her American identity. She struggles to fit in with her American classmates who don't understand her culture or her background. At the same time, she feels like an outsider in her Dominican community, where she is seen as too American and not Dominican enough. This tension between her two identities causes Alvarez to question who she is and where she belongs. Another way that Names-Nomdes explores the theme of identity is through its portrayal of the power of names. Throughout the essay, we can see how Alvarez's name is a symbol of her cultural identity and her sense of self. She describes her name, Julia, as difficult for her Dominican family to pronounce, and how they often call her by her middle name, Alvarez. The struggle with her name reflects her struggle with her identity, as she tries to reconcile her two cultures and find a sense of belonging. Ultimately, Alvarez finds that her name is a source of strength and pride as it represents her cultural heritage and her sense of self. Finally, Names-Nomdes explores the theme of identity through its portrayal of the importance of family and community. Throughout the essay, we can see how Alvarez's family and community are a source of support and belonging for her. She describes how her family's traditions and customs help her to connect with her Dominican heritage, and how her community of immigrants provide a sense of solidarity and understanding. This sense of belonging helps Alvarez to find a sense of self, acceptance, and self-worth, despite the challenges she faces as a Dominican-American immigrant. In conclusion, Names-Nomdes is a powerful essay that explores the theme of identity through the lens of Alvarez's own experiences as a Dominican-American immigrant. Through her struggles to find a place in the world, her connection to her name and her cultural heritage, and her sense of belonging to her family community, Alvarez shows us how our identities are shaped by our cultural backgrounds and experiences. She also shows us how these identities can be a source of strength and pride even in the face of adversity and discrimination. As we navigate our own lives and identities, it's important to remember the lessons of Names-Nomdes. We must embrace our cultural heritage and our names as symbols of our identities. We must seek out communities and support systems that can help us find a sense of belonging and acceptance. By doing so, we can find the strength and resilience to overcome the challenges that we face, and to build a better, more inclusive world for ourselves and others. Thank you for listening.