Cultural Norms Inflicting Abuse

In a “Woman Hollering Creek”, Cisneros defines not only the personal experiences that many Mexican- American women endure, but also descriptively defining her personal experiences through a developed character named Cleofilas. Cisneros illustrates the Mexican-American woman’s traditions, including her gender role and the repression she faces as a female, and how tending to these traditions can allow the infliction of abuse. Through this story, it is established that there is far more than one Cleofilas, in this country, who demonstrates the bravery of an American women, while maintaining the origins of her Mexican culture. Cisneros ultimately defines a theme of literary awareness: how emotional abuse can result in physical abuse, and in what ways silence can be uncovered through a woman’s strength. Strength to make an independent discovery she, as a woman, is capable of building her own life on her own foundation.

            Gender Roles are clearly defined within the Mexican culture. To women, family is consistently defined as the concern and obligation of the female. Through research it is predominantly found that the traditional Mexican woman is “often passive, allowing their husband to make decisions for [her].  Wives are expected to care for the children, keep the house clean, cook all the meals, and do all the other domestic chores necessary in a family” (Culture Issues for Mexican Women). Quite obviously, these labels are cultural, and Cisneros defines how commonly understood this idea is within the first few pages of her story. In the very beginning, Cleofilas tells us about her wedding arrangements and the way in which they will occur; she predictably explains the idea that “Juan Pedro wants to get married without a long engagement since he can’t take off too much time from work” (364). Her statement defines the common knowledge that the man is ultimately in control. Although this is supposed to be “her day”, Juan Pedro is the determining factor in the ways in which not only their wedding, but many instances in their married life will pan out.

Cleofilas role is also defined in her tendency to submit to Juan Pedro’s hurtful words and emotional ill treatment. Cleofilas clarifies how truly insensitive he is when she tells us what he says to her when she first begins to doubt their relationship, “if [you] had any brains in [your] head [you’d] realize that [I’ve] been up for before the rooster… just leave me in peace, woman”. There are various instances where Juan Pedro inflicts pain on Cleofilas, by making her feel that she has nothing without him. In the same sentence, he makes it clear to her that he is the one who puts “food in her belly” and a “roof over her head” (367). Because he is the man, sole form of income, and culturally identified as the strength, he illuminates the stereotypical Mexican gender roles. Cleofila’s is a housewife, “who went on washing dishes”(369).

She stays, and although she has “A doubt. Slender as a hair” (367), she does not uncover her experience with abuse: not only emotional, but also physically.  Her physical abuse is defined in a raw manner, almost causing the reader to long for her to escape. She stays, and it is also a cultural stigma that ties her down. Women often feel that they must keep the family together at all costs.  Staying together as a family is their priority.  Women may make excuses to their kids for their father's violence, trying to save the kids' respect for their father, so the family will run smoothly (Avalos). Although, her son Juan Pedrito was not quite old enough to understand, there are various instances where Cleofilas creates excuses.

             I have a thesis, but I think once I started writing I began to lose focus. I am very interested in discussing how “Woman Hollering Creek” represents abuse, but I also want to express it through terms of the Mexican Culture (and how Sandra Cisneros used this as an expression to awareness for her culture, and how she personally rose above it). I would love any advice, I know the thesis needs work.

Sources:

Sarafin, Jennifer. Domestic Violence Among Three Immigrant Communities in Rice County: Cambodian, Mexican, and Somali. St. Olaf College, 2003. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.

Cisneros, Sandra. “Woman Hollering Creek.” A Pocket Anthology”. Ed. Michael Meyer. 8th    ed. New York: Bedford, 2008. 95-101. Print.