Clap When You Land Literary Devices

In this passage from Clap when you land the readers learn about the narrator Yaharia who talks about the contradicting expectations of her mom and her dad vs her expectations of the conception of her identity and power. The readers learn information about Yaharia in this passage that reveals the character's internal conflicts and desires by using literary devices that help develop meaning. The passage highlights Yaharia’s struggles and her thoughts about her parent's perspectives. Yaharia's mom wants her to follow gender stereotypes and be a lady “Mami wanted me to be a lady” (Avecedo 117) who is protected by men “let men protect me.” (Avecedo 117) In contrast, her dad wants her to be a firm leader who is assertive and respected. Yahairia then makes a connection to her experience playing chess that a queen can be both “deadly and graceful” This perspective contradicts her

This internal conflict is developed with the use of literary devices. The narrator uses metaphors while explaining her perspective to help show that the narrator's desired characteristics are intricate and difficult to boil down to cultural norms or traditional gender roles. The use of symbolism is also included to represent the narrator's desire for strength and independence. The metaphor of the queen “playing chess taught me a queen is both” (Avecedo 117) is used to show that Yaharias's experience playing chess has taught her that “a queen can be both deadly and graceful” (Avecedo 117) This shows the narrator's desire to be independent and powerful, but also realizing how difficult it can be to do so in a society that doesn't often respect such traits in women. This metaphor highlights the struggle between the narrator's desire to establish her identity and strength and the obligations put on her by her parents and