Julia Alvarez's Graduation Day

In Julia Alvarez’s short story, ”Nombres”, and in the visual, “Graduation Day”, both depict the common theme that people should embrace their culture and heritage. In “Nombres”, the theme can be seen when Julia's mother states, “You know what (Julia’s) friend Shakespeare said, ‘A rose by any other name would smell as sweet’,” (Alvarez Pg. 1). This shows that Julia’s mother doesn’t want her to be ashamed of where she comes from, and that she should embrace her name. This theme is also evident in the visual,” Graduation Day”. The fact that the loving daughter, who just graduated from school, is hugging her hard-working father, shows that she is grateful for him, and that she is proud of him. Also in “Graduation Day”, the daughters decorated graduation