Authors Statement

By Matias Valentin

I used descriptive language like imagery throughout both my vignettes, I described by name using the meanings and message behind, as well as detailed describing my experiences in Puerto Rico. First, in my name vignette I wrote “Faithful, authentic, genuine. The meaning of "Fidel '', however it is often overlooked by what first comes to mind, Fidel Castro, or fiddle, as some say to tease me.” ([VALENTIN] [“Fidel”]) I also used a metaphor when I said, “ But as the year drew near, I pondered the choice, and finally, decided against it, after all I am more than a fiddle.” ([VALENTIN] [“Fidel”]) I used “more than a fiddle” to express that I am more than my name and that it doesn't define me as a person. In my second vignette, I use descriptive language by saying “Above the staircase, framed with white wood and glass, the painting of a Puerto Rican flag has been a part of my house and life as long as I have known it. As I look up, ascending the cold, wooden stairs, I remember my family in Puerto Rico, I think of my cousins, grandparents, uncles and aunts.” ([VALENTIN] [Puerto Rico) This passage is filled with descriptive language similar to my first vignette. Later on, in the vignette, I wrote “This all widened the chasm between me and them in my mind, continuing my feelings of separation from them. As I sat and thought, I came to terms with the difference between me and them, however I still wished to be a part of them.” I used “Chasm” as a metaphor for the lack of a strong relationship with my cousins, due to our differences.

For Katelynn’s Vignette, I used different letters from a magazine to create one name, this represented when she talked about her different experiences in her life, coming together to create her as a person. I also used “Katie” on a small badge, similar to a name tag to communicate how she preferred the nickname to her real name. For Kilian’s vignette, I drew a large house, with a thought bubble coming out of the window to express Kilian’s difficulty getting used to his new house, as well as his longing for his old house.