Portfolio Item 7

Project Details
Learning English: First steps to assimilation as seen through Nicholasa Mohrs The
English Lesson and Bernard Malamuds The German Refugee
Engl 6340 Ethnic American Literature, Fall 2014
This paper was meant to compare two or more of the primary texts studied up to
the date of the paper was due. It was to be an essay centered on a specific theme
related to the critical terms introduced during the class.

Critical Refl ection

I must constantly work to be sure my own assumptions do not cloud my
understanding of literature or of people. In this regard, I am often overjoyed when I
come across anything that points out the fallacy of my assumptions (or that I have
made assumptions without thinking). Such slaying of assumptions occurred both
through this specific paper and through the class for which it was written. Not only
did I revel in the idea of Optional Ethnicities discussed in Mary Waters essay, but I
confronted my limited perspective. In the comments given to me on this paper, Dr.
Huang states Your main argument centers on the imperative to choose between
ones mother tongue and English; however, that imperative is never discussed or
questioned in your paper. You might want to consider the assimilationist ideology
behind it. Why did I think that a person has to choose? I am always looking for that
chance to see something in a new light and I try to teach my students that. This
paper and class taught me that I must be vigilant in seeing different perspectives.

References
Waters, Mary. Optional Ethnicities: For Whites Only? Origins and Destinies.
Wadsworth, 1996. 444-454. Print.

A 1-7 rating of the overall satisfaction with the item

5 I am happy with most of the ideas and literary analysis but feel these need
elaboration. Also, I think it has too narrow a view in having to choose between two
languages.