Dance of the Letters

I really enjoyed the poem “Dance of the Letters” by Vince Gotera, which about his father’s strong ambitions. Through the images of his father teaching him to read at an early age, it is clear to me that his father places a lot of importance on education. Gotera says, “Not yet four, I read newspaper headlines” (53). His father trained Gotera for great things, and had a law degree himself.

The issue in the poem is that they are Filipino, and because of this the father’s law degree is “useless”.  I was somewhat confused as to what was meant when Gotera said, “A rule to keep American citizens from practicing law in the Philippines” (53). I did a little bit of research, and found Gotera’s personal blog in which he discusses this. http://vincegotera.blogspot.com/2009/04/c-chased-by-d.html

His father was from the Philippines, but became a naturalized US citizen and got his law degree here. However, his father could not practice law in the Philippines because there are laws preventing American citizens to practice law. Also, he could not practice in America unless he went back to school, which he felt was below him.

Instead, we see Gotera’s father working in a print shop, an position that he considered below himself. Clearly angry at his unfortunate circumstances, his father shouts “Some land of opportunity” (53). This poem does a great job highlighting the struggles of many immigrants in America. Fortunately, in the blog posted above, Gotera explains that his father does eventually find an occupation that he feels is more suitable for his ambitions. 

-Amanda