Media Images

Media images play a role in Ortiz Cofer's story not so much as the main focus of her tale, but as background information. The main point of her story is about real life images, about the way real life is affected by the visual implications of race and size. The santa is the first place the story goes, because the Puerto Rican family is forced to conform to the ideals of the United States by giving presents on Christmas rather than their traditional holiday. This example of how their religious rites are transformed by the media and corporate structure of another country just backs up the thought of her body being judged differently in a new culture. The incident with the susie doll is another example of the media controlling aspects of her life. Her image of beauty is affected by the culture around her to make her want a white doll. Then, the contrast between the white golden-haired doll and the obviously Puerto Rican girl is likely what caused the butcher to yell at her. The contrasting images of media and reality are what lead to many of the problems that she faces, from the inability to perform to cultural athletic standards to her departure from the norms of beauty that cause her so many problems.