Sandra Cisneros “Only Daughter” (Reading Journal)

           In the essay, Only Daughter, written by Sandra Cisneros, her intentions are to get the reader to demonstrate that she is being seen as the “oddball” in the family but she finally comes through to her father. Her brothers are not willing to play with her in public and she feels as if her father is slowly erasing her by saying, “ I have only seven sons.” She tugs and tries to persuade her father that she is more than what she seems to be. That she is capable of doing just as much as her brothers are. She wants to be noticed and treated equally but her father refuses to until he reads her published story. The author repeatedly shows that she can stand up for her gender and will strive to receive acceptance from her father. 

            This piece in my opinion is an informative essay, serving the purpose of showing that women should not be underestimated. They should be respected and treated just as sons and  they can accomplish the unaccomplished. I agree with the author because she stood up till the finish. She completed her goal of showing her father that she is not worthless. The fact that she strives for full potential by saying, “Everything I have ever written has been for him, to win his approval even though I know my father can’t read English words.” The emotion that she is letting in shows the audience that even though her father of Mexican heritage can’t understand English, she feels she must jot down these thoughts as an act of convincing herself.

However, she manages to pull herself through. She gets her book sold to a major New York publishing house. Her father who doubted her abilities to come to this point is finally proud. He wants to show his daughter’s writing to people. He wants her to be heard. I enjoyed this essay for a variety of reasons; the author approaches this essay with a sense of sadness that her father does not accept her due to her gender. The catch however, is the conclusion itself.

Her hope did not fade even though several countries and backgrounds of diverse people disapproved of having a female child. The fact that her father had high expectations from her helped her remain positive. I can relate to this essay, being raised in an Indian family the culture is strict and certain things are expected of us. In the Indian culture, women are meant to show the utmost respect to their husband and surrender as expected to. An example in the Muslim culture is that women are hidden beneath clothes that cover their entire bodies, only showing their eyes. Not only is this part of their religion but also it is a law in their culture and society. In my opinion, women are just capable as men. They are able to do all things common and should not be shunned in society.