(1) Sandra Cisneros's "Mericans" is about a young American girl of Mexican descent who is struggling
between her cultural heritage and American identity. (2) Cisneros illustrates this through a number of
images and ideas. (3) For example, the speaker, Micaela, calls her grandmother "awful," and seems to
resent the woman's strict views and religious ideals. (4) The speaker also mentions how she and her
brother emulate characters from popular American television programs when they play make-believe. (5)
Lastly, she describes physically standing outside her family's church, an act that symbolizes the fact that
she feels like an outsider to Mexican culture. (6) Although Micaela is of Mexican descent, she seems to feel
a stronger connection to the United States.
Which is the best thesis statement for the entire essay?
O While the speaker of Okita's poem feels strongly about her identity as an American citizen, the speaker of
Cisneros's short story identifies more closely with her Mexican family.
Both Okita's poem and Cisneros's short story show that people can feel tension between their cultural heritage
and American identity due to racism and discrimination.
O The family members in Cisneros's and Okita's works play a significant role in the lives of both narrators as they
contemplate their place in hostile environments.
Cisneros and Okita rely on imagery to convey their ideas about American identity.



Answer :

The best thesis statement for the entire essay would be: "Both Okita's poem and Cisneros's short story show that people can feel tension between their cultural heritage and American identity due to racism and discrimination." This thesis statement effectively captures the central theme present in both works by Okita and Cisneros. It highlights the commonality of experiencing conflict between cultural heritage and American identity, which is portrayed through the characters' struggles in the face of racism and discrimination. In Sandra Cisneros's "Mericans," the young American girl of Mexican descent grapples with her identity and sense of belonging, torn between her Mexican roots and American surroundings. The cultural tension she faces is exacerbated by societal pressures and prejudices, reflecting a broader theme of the challenges individuals encounter when navigating multiple cultural identities. Likewise, in Okita's poem, there is a similar exploration of the complexities surrounding cultural identity and the impact of external factors such as racism and discrimination on an individual's sense of self. By acknowledging these shared themes in both works, the thesis statement provides a strong foundation for analyzing the characters' struggles and the broader social commentary present in the texts.