Woman Hollering Creek Essay (Joshua Oron PDF

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Joshua Orona Professor Cooper ENG 102-002 Aug 27, 2018

How a Woman Discovers Independence For many women, the idea of being independent is not taught to them, and sometimes even discouraged. Woman Hollering Creek by Sandra Cisneros explores the dilemmas that occur when a woman is moved out of her local surrounding and meets the harsh truths of life and reality. Throughout the story, Cleofilas must learn to overcome the tragedy that is her failing marriage by becoming more self-confident and self-aware of the real life situation she is now in. Although many women like Cleofilas are clearly not feminists from their backgrounds, most observe or “visit” a feminine perspective through their struggles to support their families. Cleofilas was brought up in a traditional Mexican household along with her father and six brothers, and as a result, she had little to no feminist ideals that she held on to. On the contrary, she had expected, and wanted, her life to be subject to a male figure as she had seen in the telenovelas that she watched. Even without a feminist background, however, she still had a sense of what she would and would not tolerate from a man, such as any form of abuse. Although her initial reaction to such concepts was different, she still held the same ideals as shown through the quote “…she didn’t fight back, she didn’t break into tears, she didn’t run away as she imagined she might when she saw such things in the telenovelas” (Cisneros 222). This quote exemplifies people’s boundaries on what they do and do not find acceptable from somebody both physically and emotionally. This being said, however, some people do not react to such actions in ways they

may intend to. In Cleofilas’ case, she was too shocked to react, however, others may experience fear or find that they aren’t in a position to stand up for themselves. “He had thrown a book, Hers. From across the room. A hot welt across the cheek. She could forgive that. But what stung more was the fact that it was her book…” (Cisneros 225). This event shows awareness to psychological neglect, which also plays a significant role in domestic abuse. It is easy to recognize physical trauma, however, emotional trauma can be just as, if not more, serious. For this reason, it is important for people to be able to recognize when they’re being mistreated on a mental level. Throughout the story, Cleofilas also shows a sense of independence by realizing that she did not need a man, or at least the current one, to have a happy life. Cleofilas has the sense and mental strength to realize that her life would be much better without him, an idea that many women would deny if they’ve been brought up in a patriarchal culture. “Sometimes she thinks of her father’s house. But how could she go back there?” (Cisneros 224). This excerpt confirms that women have the ability to seek a better life that is absent of the present male figure, even if they’re substituting them with another. Drawing from personal experience, some women do not even need to be subject to outright abuse in order to make the necessary changes to better their lives. Cisneros also displays to the reader how some women have the ability to recognize when the abuse and torment life can bring pushes someone to the brink, or even over the edge. “Wonders if something as quiet as this drives a woman to the darkness under the trees” (Cisneros 225). This description of La Llorona reveals that Cleofilas is in such a dire situation that she has come to understand, and almost relate to the trauma that a woman goes through in order to commit something she wouldn’t do in a healthy state of mind. A sense of intellect is displayed here, and shows the ability to keep one’s mind from being shrouded by false hope and beliefs.

This helps women realize that their quality of life is at a low point because of the male figure they are subject to. Cisneros makes it obvious throughout the story that although some women have false expectation of reality, this should not keep them from making the necessary changes to improve their lives and well-being. The last and possibly most prominent of Cleofilas’ newfound somewhat feminist outlook is her astonishment and admiration of Felice’s attitude and actions at the end of the story. “Everything about this woman, this Felice, amazed Cleofilas. The fact that she drove a pick up… She herself had chosen it. She herself was paying for it” (Cisneros 228). Felice provides a stark contrast to the behavior that many women are expected to display, and the reader can infer that this serves as a source of inspiration and self-confidence for women like Cleofilas. Some women require concrete examples in order to develop and believe in ideas that are new to them, and Felice is the role model that Cleofilas needed in order to be comfortable with her newfound ideals. “Felice was like no woman she ever met” (Cisneros 228). This again shows the immediate impact and is proof that a woman is capable of being happily independent without a male figure. Felice, like many women, unknowingly reveals a whole other level of opportunity to those with newly developed expectations. Though the author has exhibited feminist ideas and opinions throughout the story, this is the first time that they appear to actually come to fruition. Women are shaped and influenced by their environment, and as a result tend to reflect the common culture and attitudes that surround them. Many develop new ideas and beliefs, however, in order to better their lives and help those around them. This begs the question of what opportunities many women have missed as a result of being taught to be subservient. In some cases, they need to experience something drastic in order to change their views on life and become less reliant on the attitudes and beliefs they were raised around, however it can be

assumed that in most cases, this change of ideology improves the quality of many women’s lives both physically and psychologically.

Works Cited

Cisneros, Sandra.“Women Hollering Creek” Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories. Sandra Cisneros. Penguin Random House LLC, 1991. 219-228. PDF

Thesis: Although many women like Cleofilas are clearly not feminists from their backgrounds, most observe or “visit” a feminine perspective through their struggles to support their families. I. Cleofilas’ knowledge of how a man should treat a woman and when he overstepped his boundaries. A. “…she didn’t fight back, she didn’t break into tears, she didn’t run away as she imagined she might when she saw such things in the telenovelas.” 222 B. “He had thrown a book. Hers. From across the room. A hot welt across the cheek. She could forgive that. But what stung more was the fact that it was her book…” 225 II. Cleofilas’ realization that her life was better and would be better without the current male figure in her life. A. “Sometimes she thinks of her father’s house. But how could she go back there?” 224 B. “Wonders if something as quiet as this drives a woman to the darkness under the trees.” 225 III. Cleofilas’ admiration and astonishment at how independent and different Felice is. A. “Everything about this woman, this Felice, amazed Cleofilas. The fact that she drove a pick up…She herself had chosen it. She herself was paying for it.” 228 B. “Felice was like no woman she ever met.” 228...