Point of View

“A Daughter Named After Nina” is written from the third-person point of view but readers do not feel as though the speaker is a neutral, third-party observer rather than the direct voice of Nina. The point of view is significant because it allows Acevedo to underscore how Nina experiences the weight of her name – converting her into an outsider in her own life and allowing her to see herself as she believes others see her. The poem feels open to each reader’s interpretation with a tone of voice that does not feel heavy-handed or overwhelming.

Language and Meaning

Readers can connect with Acevedo’s language as it is not overly verbose and the vocabulary is relatively simple. The poem’s short length and open-ended style means that readers’ experiences feature heavily in their understanding of the meaning and significance. Acevedo does employ word play...