Casa-“Casa”
Casa is an exemplification of women’s zone. Judith Ortiz Cofer notes, “the women of my family gathered at Mama’s living room to speak of important things.” Notably, men do not come to the casa as it is typically the females’ domain.
Mama-“Casa”
Mama denotes ‘matriarchal power’. Cofer writes about “Mama’s matriarchal power to command and keep everyone’s attention.” Mama is respected; hence, she can effortlessly evoke responsiveness through her stories. The audience holds Mama in the highest regard her because she is a coalescing stimulus in the family.
‘Diamond ring’-“Casa”
‘The diamond ring’ is representational of Laura’s betrothal. Her suitor leaves it with her when he goes to Los Nueva Yores (America) ‘to make is fortune.’
Alarms (“First Love”)
Cofer opens “First Love” with the concession, “at fourteen and for a few years after, my concerns were mainly focused on the alarms going off in my body warning me of pain or pleasure ahead.” The alarms are a sign of Cofer’s mystification which stems from Eros. At fourteen, Cofer undergoes a sexual epiphany whereby her hormones enthuse her about the prospect of being in love.
Prince (“First Love”)
Cofer speaks of her “secret love” as Prince. Prince is figurative of her devoted, ultimate love.
Kiss (“First Love”)
The kiss in “First Love” has dual suggestions. Cofer determines, “I realized that the kiss was nothing but a little trophy for his ego. He had no interest in me other than as his adorer.” For Cofer, the kiss embodies her adoration for the man. For the man, the kiss is an opening to live up to his ego-centrism.
