What does the green door symbolize in "American History" by Judith Ortiz Cofer?
History · High School · Mon Jan 18 2021
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In Judith Ortiz Cofer's short story "American History," the green door symbolizes the barriers and boundaries that exist between people, both physical and metaphorical. The protagonist, Elena, observes Eugene, the object of her interest, through a green-colored door, which represents the distance and separation between them. It is through this door that Elena witnesses the cultural and social divides present in her life as well. The door is associated with Eugene's mother, who is unwelcoming to Elena due to her ethnicity and social status, demonstrating the prejudices that were present during the time the story is set, shortly after President Kennedy's assassination. Thus, the green door is a symbol of the division and exclusion Elena faces as she navigates a society fragmented by racial and social tensions.