JOC Family Tree

Familial Connections and Literary Inspirations 

After reading JOC's many works, our team can clearly see connections between her fictional characters and her real life family. When comparing her family tree with her 1989 Pulitzer Prize-nominated novel, The Line of the Sun, a reader can make some interesting connections. 

                                                                                                         

Grandfather Morot- JOC's character "Papa Pepe" was a Spiritist who focused on religion more than paganism and the ritualistic traditions of Spiritism. Similarly to Papa Pepe, JOC's own grandfather practiced Spiritisim through Catholicism in his life.

Grandmother Morot- Mamá (Cielo) was an influential character who may mirror JOC's own grandmother. One major difference, however, was that Grandmother Morot had eight children while Mamá Cielo only had two that are spoken about within the book.

Fanny Morot- JOC's mother is seen in the character of "Ramona", a woman who left behind her island and raised her two children in the United States. Both "Ramona" and JOC's mother eventually returned to Puerto Rico after the deaths of their husbands.

Jesus Lugo Ortiz- JOC's father and "Rafael" were both killed in a car accident after serving in the Navy. Both the character and person left Puerto Rico to pursue a military career and help their family survive outside the island.

Guzman- "Uncle Guzmán" and JOC's uncle Guzmán: the same name and the same placement on the family tree. Could these two have lived similar lives? 

Judith Ortiz Cofer- The author of The Line of the Sun is similar to its narrator: "Marisol." They were both children of first-generation immigrants who deal with the intensity of being American and Puerto Rican.

Rolando- JOC's brother: Though we do not know much about him, her work may reveal some details lost to history. "Gabriel" was brought to the United States along with "Marisol", mimicking what the Cofer siblings did during their lives.