A Rhetorical Analysis Of Rita Moreno's 'The Memoir'

Sex, Stereotypes, and Success: A Rhetorical Analysis on Rita Moreno A Memoir

“There was a death toll, a nervous-breakdown toll. But this was lotus land, City of

Angels, Hollywood-and no one kept a body count.” (Moreno Pg. 140) In Rita Moreno The Memoir, Moreno exercises stunning imagery alongside a masterful use of juxtaposition to illustrate the past's impact on the future.

Through her dazzling imagery, Moreno illustrates the differences between her childhood paradise Juncos, the nightmarish establishment of New York, and the hope filled Hollywood. Each location is strategically introduced to symbolize different time periods in her life. Juncos symbolizes her youth; a time of blissful oblivion and affection. “Juncos blooms like a flower

As she is cast into a world where she feels “threatened and unwanted” (32) she becomes more aware of the world around her; overcome with self-doubt, repression, fear, and hardship. She describes New York as a “new gray, cold world” (31) which is very different from the colors of Juncos. The color gray is often associated with lethargy and plight, as it lacks in both color and intensity. Color, which is an important indication of spirit and hope, can generally brings life and meaning to an object, where the intensity of the color decides the significance of the object. In this instance, Moreno pairs impassioned diction and recognizable allusions to indicate New York was neither a significant location in itself nor was she excited to be there. As the chapter continues she discusses the challenges of her new lifestyle; adapting to the harsh climates, bed bugs, learning english, and overcoming racism. She particularly depicts the hatred Irish immigrants had for hispanics. On one occasion she had to run to avoid being caught (and potentially beat). “He could kill me...Hurry, hurry, run, run...Get in the door; slam it shut… run, run, catch your breath...no, don't stop.” (38) For the first time ever we start to see little Rosita Dolores Alverio facing conflict head on. This internal speech is the first depiction of Rositas thoughts that appears italicized in the book, thus showing that in some way these thoughts are different from those prior. Later in the book, we learn these italicized portions represent the “voices” of doubt, and fear in her mind. By introducing these “voices” after she moves to New York, Moreno shows that her lost innocence -which was abandoned in Juncos with her younger brother, Francisco- has opened her eyes to the harsh realities of the world before her. The once bright-eyed, happy Rosita -who frolicked around in her ice-cream home in Juncos (10)- was now living in constant fear of assault and