Quick Write
A theme is a central idea in a piece of writing or other work of art.
What theme or themes did you notice in “Woman Hollering Creek?”
Analysis vs Summary
Summary versus Analysis. What is the difference?
What does it mean to analyze literature?
Analysis : detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.
“Woman Hollering Creek”
What are some themes, recurring topics or ideas, that you have noticed?
Lets come up with a list of characters.
Arguable Thesis
Start with what interests you, to develop a point of analysis. You can choose a character, theme, issue, context, patterns, metaphors, authors style or language, etc. What is standing out to you and then you can develop that into a thesis.
You will be arguing that your analysis of the work is valid.
Developing Strong Thesis Statements
In Woman Hollering Creek, Sandra Cisneros is recasting traditional negative Mexican female archetypes in a positive light.
Focus on Thesis and Structure
One way to organize your analysis essay:
- Introduce the text and state your arguable thesis.
- Body paragraphs 1-3,4,5,6??? cite passages and explain how each supports your thesis and interpretation.
- Conclusion, sum up your interpretation in light of your analysis
- Document Sources, works cited.
You can choose other ways of organizing, as long as it is clear and makes sense.
Student Video
Quick Write
What is the purpose of a citation? When is the use of a citation appropriate?
What is a Literary Analysis?
Writing a Literary Analysis Presentation
The Art of Quoting
Claims
Why do these need support? Where can you find it?
Quote Sandwich
- Introduce the quotation p. 46
- Quote, relevant
- Explain Quotation p. 47
Your Turn
Find a good meaty quote from the story today. Practice writing the quotation sandwich.
Comment below with your quote sandwich.
Quick Write
- Why are citations important?
- How did you find support for the claims?
- Is it wrong to not cite sources? Why or Why not?
- How would you feel if your ideas or work were used without giving you credit?
Professor Ramos' Blog 
Cleofilas came from a dark place which she could no longer tolerate, resulting in her leaving. “The town of dusk and despair” which is the hometown that she was raised in (Cisneros 99). She moved on to a town of nothing but gossip which contradicted the whole reason she left. Cleofilas was stuck again to come up with a solution for happiness.
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There are always struggles with life when you continue to get to know someone better Cisneros states” Or wonder when he kicks the refrigerator and says he hates this shitty house.” which is a tell tell sign that something is right with someone with my mom it happened the same way with my biological dad until he became violent and she had to leave in a rush with me in my younger brother she was very strong for that and i will be forever grateful.
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In her book, Woman Hollering Creek, Sandra Cisneros writes, “she didn’t run away as she had imagined she might when she saw such things in the telenovelas” (Cisneros 47). Basically, Cisneros is warning that shows and movies can alter the way people see love and conflict. The way people deal with conflict in television dramas does not truly reflect how people deal with these situations in real life.
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The story “Women Hollering Creek” has many symbols representing the situation that Cleófilas had found herself in, surrounded by the pain of her abusive relationship and the solitude she felt. This was symbolized by the names of her neighbors. “The neighbor lady Soledad liked to call herself a widow, though how she came to be one was a mystery” (Cisneros). The name Soledad is related to the Spanish word for solitude. Cleofilas is around a person named solitude, who is alone in life, as Cleofilas herself is feeling a sense of loneliness, as she doesn’t know how to contact anyone about the circumstance of her husband abusing her.
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Coming from a house where she was loved she would think of going back to her fathers house
“Sometimes she thinks of her father house. But how could she go back there? What a disgrace” (Ciseneros 224)
She was scared to go back to her fathers house because she would feel ashamed and like a failure.
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In Sandra Cisneros short story Wonam Hollering creek the main character Cleofilas has a strong emotional bond with her family. As she is preparing to leave her family after her marriage she says “How when a man and a women love each other, sometimes that love sours. But a parent’s love for a child, a child’s for its parents, is another thing entirely.” Cleofilas feels as though even though leaving her family is heart breaking her love for them and vise versa could never die. She is leaving her family not knowing the future she will have with her new found husband. The love for her husband can be ruined but the love of family will be long lasting.
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Cleofilas had been struggling between choosing what was right for her and her family, but she then remembered, “when a man and a woman love each other, sometimes that love turns sour,” and she instantly knew the love she held towards her son and her determination would free them from their sourness.
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According to Cleofilas, true love is that between a parent and a child. ” But a parent’s love for a child, a child’s for its parents, is another thing entirely” Through all the hardship she encounters she ends up finding the courage to leave, even though she stayed for so long. Her love for her children gave her the extra push she needed to change her current story and get away.
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In the short story Women Hollering Creek the main character Cloefilas is told by her father Don Serafin, “I am your father, i will never abandon you.” (Cisneros, 43) as she was over joyous of her new marriage her fathers message didn’t register until she was a mother herself. she then realized that the love of a parent is eternal. As she sees her life is in shambles and is not the fantasy she had believed it would be, she then gained the strength to leave her abusive husband and save her life and the lives of her children. I believe the author Sandra made this a valid point in her article to provide us with the insight that with no hesitation your parents will protect their children. the fathers message is the main message that sets up the finality of the story and allows for a more positive outcome rather than one of misfortune and death that may have occurred otherwise.
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Cleofilas knows that her father would save her from the worst of situations no matter how lost in life she gets. For example, at her wedding in the beginning of the story, her father exclaims, “I am tour father, I will never abandon you.”(Cisneros 43) This is meant to show Cleofilas that her father loves her and would do anything for her because her will always be the protector, the father in her life.
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In her short story, “Woman Hollering Creek”, Sandra Cisneros reveals that her main character, Cleofilas, doesn’t react to abuse she endures the way she thought she would “The first time she had been so surprised she didn’t even cry or try to defend herself. She had always said she would strike back if a man, any man, were to strike her.” The essence in Cisneros’ argument is one might not react to certain situations as they believe they would. No one can truly know how they’d react until they are in that situation.
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In, “ Woman Hollering Creek” Cleofilas had always had this illusion of the perfect husband and what true love means for her. However, that changes when she becomes a victim of domestic abuse. “When the moment came, and he slapped her once, and then again, and again; until the lip split and bled an orchid of blood, 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.” Cleofilas gets a reality check, she is so shock that her body goes numb. No man should ever strike a woman no matter how much she provokes it, men are physically stronger and can cause serious damage. Also, a person who is going through domestic abuse should ask for help, they never know when the last time they get hit would be the last.
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Cleofilas states she has to constantly remind herself she loves him and performs her duties. “Not that he isn’t a good man. She has to remind herself why she loves him when she changes the baby’s Pampers, or when she mops the bathroom floor, or tries to make the curtain doorways without doors, or whiten the linen” is the thoughts she has to remind herself of why she loves her husband. She is forcing herself to change her view and look at her husband in a better way due to cultural differences since she has a kid and back then divorce was not an option, once you started a family you had to stick it out “until death do us apart”.
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When Cleofilas finds herself in a tough situation as a mother now she remembers what her father told her before getting married. Having a child made her understand how different is the love for your partner and for your child. “How when a man and woman love each other, sometimes that love sours. But a parent’s love for a child, a child’s for its parents, is another thing entirely.” She realized how bigger is the love for your own child and how you would do anything for them. That love will never sour.
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A line from the Sandra Cisneros story “Woman Hollering Creek” that stood out to me was the first time that Cleofilas was hit by her husband. I believe that this was a pivoting moment that defined the boundaries for her husband, and in turn she set a boundary for herself in that moment. “The first time she had been so surprised she didn’t cry out or try to defend herself” (Cisneros P. 47) By keeping her silence while in shock she ended up showing him what she was willing to tolerate. While I don’t want to be naive sounding that this situation would be so simple, I do think that her husband Juan Pedro after the first time from his point of view he probably felt this was acceptable and he was ok to continue this behavior. While Cleofilas was in shock, I am glad to see that while she may have felt stuck, that she eventually removed herself and her child from the situation.
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In her book, never marry a mexican, Sandra Cisneros describes how the character clementia’s mother felt about her and her siblings. “Ma was always to sick and too busy worrying about her own life, she would’ve sold us to the devil if she could.” This gives us an insight to how her mother was self centered and her kids weren’t her first priority
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