Christmas Day By Richard Rodriguez Language Analysis

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In this passage by Richard Rodriguez, Rodriguez recalls the interactions between his family on Christmas Day. Rodriguez’s usage of language and his choice of details reveal the distance can be created by the American dream of material success. Throughout the passage, language and details showcases how wealth has distanced Rodriguez's siblings from their family. At the beginning of the passage, Rodriguez explains that all of his siblings are “well off”. When all of the siblings come over for Christmas, the floor is “wreathed with gifts”. While the family is unwrapping their gifts, the room becomes eventually “uncomfortably warm”. The unwrapping of presents on Christmas day is usually a very joyous event. During this time, families enthusiastically watch each other open gifts, anticipating …show more content…

Even though they probably spent a substantial amount of money on the gifts, Rodriguez's siblings do not seem to care whether or not their family members like their gifts. Additionally, one of the siblings “groans” after somebody asks if anyone wants any refreshments. The person’s groan suggests that they are miserable around their other family members. The siblings should be happy to be celebrating together, but they are more interested in getting back to their personal lives. As the siblings leave the house and head into the dark towards their “expensive foreign cars”, one of them shouts “Don’t come out” at either their mother or father as it is too cold outside. Rodriguez could not tell if the person was addressing his mother or father. The person did not even turn around fully to address them as they were in such a rush to get home. Although they told their parents that it is too cold for them to come outside, the person probably just wanted to leave the home as quickly as possible. In addition, expensive cars are parked in the dark. The image of the cars in the dark associates darkness with

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