But she always pretended they were at fault. "What did you do to provoke them? It takes two to tangle, you know."
–“Daughter of Invention,”
Julia Alvarez
Read the passage. In it, the mother misuses the English idiom “It takes two to tango.” What does her language show about her as a character?
Her language shows that she tends to blame others for any conflict or confrontation, and is unwilling to acknowledge her own part in it. This suggests that she may have a defensive or blaming personality, and may struggle to take responsibility for her actions.
The mother's language in the passage shows that she tends to place blame on others and avoids taking responsibility herself. Instead of acknowledging her daughters' experiences or addressing their concerns, she immediately jumps to questioning their actions and implying that they are at fault for the conflicts. This suggests that she may have a habit of deflecting blame and refusing to take accountability for her own actions or mistakes.
To analyze the passage and understand what the mother's language shows about her as a character, we can start by examining the meaning of the idiom "It takes two to tango." This idiom usually implies that both parties involved are equally responsible for a situation or conflict. However, the mother in the passage twists the idiom and says, "It takes two to tangle."
By misusing the idiom, the mother demonstrates her lack of understanding of the English language and idiomatic expressions. This suggests that she may not be fluent in English or may not fully grasp its nuances. Furthermore, her use of the idiom in this context reflects her tendency to blame others for problems or conflicts instead of taking responsibility herself.
The mother's language also reveals her habit of deflecting blame and shifting responsibility onto others. In this case, she insinuates that her daughter must have done something to provoke the negative reactions she receives. By asking, "What did you do to provoke them?", she dismisses the possibility that her daughter may not be at fault and dismisses her daughter's experiences and feelings.
Overall, the mother's language in the passage showcases her limited English proficiency, an inclination to deflect responsibility, and a tendency to place blame on others rather than examining the situation objectively.