Since the 1980s, the literary and theoretical output of American women writers of
Latin-American heritage has offered an alternative reading of feminist literary tradition.
Sandra Cisneros is probably one of the foremost figures within the American context
of “Border Literature” and “Borders Studies” proper. This article firstly outlines the
parameters, theorems and prominent figures of Border Studies, and then examines
Cisneros’ short story “Woman Hollering Creek” which deconstructs the dualistic
mode of thinking in terms of first world vs. third world dichotomy, and defies various
thematic and structural borders. The story is also a parody of the Mexican popular
genres of telenovella (soap opera) and fotonovella (photo novel), and offers a new
form of identity formation through the female protagonist’s quest for finding her own
voice and subjectivity outside the prescribed gender roles attuned to the patriarchal
discourse proposed in the aforementioned popular genres. Hence, this article offers a
close reading of the story’s narrative strategies on a linguistic and semantic level as they
inform its thematic concerns.
Subjects | Creative Arts and Writing |
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Journal Section | Research Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | December 22, 2017 |
Submission Date | September 7, 2017 |
Published in Issue | Year 2017 |