Compare and Contrast images of L.A - Essay Example

Ponce’s use of imagery and description in the text makes you feel like you are actually right there with her watching Roy Rogers and Cassidy movies on Sundays. Her joyful tone makes it seem as if life in those days was much easier and less demanding than it is today in our global rat race. In those days, the people would look forward to Father Mueller’s western movies after rosary; it would create a break from monotony and encourage socialization. Today, I’m sure, a teenager would not be caught dead at a social organized by the church, and instead they prefer going to the theatres/movies (which are now extremely affordable), the discos and other places where “occasions of sin” are very likely to happen.

Her word choice is superb; especially the mixture of Spanish and English when relaying a conversation shows the Spaniards character: hot, bubbly and dramatic. The tone of the text gives the reader a sense of excitement and a want to read more, to see what is going to happen next. You almost feel as if you want to go back to that day and age and live the author’s life. In almost all aspects, both authors write in the same manner, but of different things. The author also shows the cheekiness of a teenage girl when she speaks of her loyalty to the older ladies for whom she translates the films: “At times the movies were too long, the plot too predictable.

I would tire of my job and yearn to sit in front with Elena. By now I had spent the money given me by Dona Luisa and the Trinidads. As the show dragged on, I fidgeted in my seat, edging toward Elena. Once I had collected mas cincos, I sought ways to escape from the boring job of translating an old cowboy movie. One usually worked… (pg. 805, p. 5). I remained unruffled, my fist tight around the nickels I had earned, as I pushed my way toward Elena. Around me the thoroughly confused women sat in wonder at this sudden turn of events.

They squabbled, each wanting to believe only what they had seen on the white screen, until told to “hush” by those sitting in back…. (pg. 806, p. 3). At times I felt guilty about the translation and the nickels, especially when the senoras began to bicker among themselves. My guilt would last until the following Sunday, when once more I might recite an original version of an old western. (pg. 807)” In this respect, we see how children and teenagers have not really evolved much throughout the years, the feelings, the attitudes and the actions are still very much the same.

Sure, today one does not have to translate a movie, but it can be seen at events where a teenager who shows up with his/her parents will stay with them only until they can find their friend and soon they are off. There is also still what one might call a “great divide” between the popular kids and the not so popular kids: “When she saw me changing my dress for las vistas, Trina would just snicker. “I wouldn’t be caught at them old movies. It’s not hip!” “I like em.” “That’s cause you’re a square.

” She tossed back her pageboy, arched her eyebrows (just like Joan Crawford), and then locked herself in the