“First Love” from Silent Dancing by Judith Ortiz CoferVocabulary Preview

Point of View

Refers to the perspective from which a narrative is told• First Person• Ex. I was minding my own business when Mom burst in. “What’s with

you?” I grumbled.• Second Person• Ex. You walk into the cave and hear a low rumble. “What is it?” you

wonder.• Third Person• Ex. He gripped the dollar bill tightly. “You can’t have it,” he told her.

Ironic

Something is ironic if the result is the opposite of what was intended• Example: A person who claims to be a vegan and avoids

meat but will eat a slice of pepperoni pizza because they are hungry. It may not make sense, but it is an illustration of irony.

Pilgrim

A person who journeys to a foreign land, usually for religious reasons• Thousands of Muslim pilgrims traveled to Mecca.

Dais

A raised platform (as in a hall or large room)

Beatific

Blissfully happy: “a beatific smile”

Gluttonously

Tending to eat and drink excessively

Phosphorescent

Emitting light without appreciable heat as by slow oxidation of phosphorous

Impassively

Revealing no emotion; expressionless

Cynical

Believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity

Unrequited

Not returned or reciprocated

Relish

Greatly enjoy