biography | outline | literary terms | links | works cited | literary criticism | activities | poetry presentation web | poem text
Formalistic Approach:
The poem’s tone and style dramatically affect the reader’s perception. The tone of the poem is passive, if not remote. Cofer’s poem elicits from the reader a feeling of detachment, which is pertinent to Cofer’s purpose in her poem. She gently condemns the common approach to visiting foreign countries, which is to focus only on the facades of beauty and perfection and fail to acknowledge the true nuances of the country itself. Cofer's title is especially important to the poem's overall meaning. She incorporates the word "stage" into the title, which connotes feelings of prentention. The poem’s structure further augments this sense of detachment. Cofer uses short, laconic sentences to mimic the way a postcard from a foreign country may be written, with terse lines and little description of anything more than the scenery.
Biographical Approach:
Cofer’s connections to her home island of Puerto Rico undoubtedly influence her works. In “Postcard”, she clearly chooses the view of a country’s native, one who watches visitors come and take pictures without taking the time to understand and truly appreciate the culture in which they are immersed. Although Cofer was only Puerto Rican inhabitant for the first few years of her life, her frequent trips back to the island gave her a sense of appreciation for and understanding of Puerto Rico, unlike the travelers who come only to see the country’s façade.