Point of View

Judith Ortiz Cofer tells her novel “Call Me Maria” in the first person reflective-omniscient narrative mode in the point of view of main character Maria. The novel is told in the form of letters, poetry, and prose, all from the point of view of Maria. Maria relates her experiences as a new immigrant in New York to the reader. The first-person point of view allows the reader great insight into Maria’s deeper thoughts and feelings, which is reflective of Maria’s ability to see the deeper truth in things in the world around her through her poetry. The novel’s narration also assumes a reflective tone as though it was being told by Maria years after the events of the novel took place. As a result, the narration takes on an omniscient aspect in which Maria is able to relate all important information to...