Trespass By Julia Alvarez

Trespass by Julia Alvarez is a short story that depicts the life of a young immigrant girl whose family has relocated from the Dominican Republic to New Jersey and the many emotions, trials, and tribulations that come with such a massive change. The oldest of four girls, Carla, seems to have the hardest time adapting to this new environment and circumstance. When their mother makes a typical Spanish dessert and inserts a candle to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the move to the States, she says, "Let us please go back home, please, She half prayed and half wished" (Alvarez 99). Aside from the anguish of leaving her extended family and the challenges of adjusting to a new neighborhood, school, and country, she has the strongest ties to the Dominican Republic and the most difficulty assimilating to English and American culture.

"Go back to where you came from, dirty Spic," (Alvarez 100), the schoolyard boys would hurl her way. Along with the verbal racial attacks, the boys would taunt her because of her prepubescent body going through normal puberty changes. Carla experiences further issues as she is approached by a strange man on her walk home, performing lude acts and trying to entice her into this car. This is an act of violence against Carla that she cannot fully articulate, not only because of her limited English vocabulary but also because she was pulled from her home country before even the Spanish words were taught to her. An incredible sign of her innocence but also a sign of the naivety she has toward this type of