Literature Review #4

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Author: Larissa Mercado-Lopez

Citation:

C. Herrera, L.M. Mercado-Lopez (eds.), (Re)mapping the Latina/o Literary Landscape, DOI 10.1057 / 978-1-349-94901-4_13

Summary:

Larissa Mercado-Lopez's piece "From Lost Woman to Third Space Mestiza Maternal Subject: La Llorona as a Metaphor of Transformation" discusses the importance of metaphors in regards to La Llorona through the use of Gloria Anzaldua's interpretations of the figure. Within the piece, Mercado-Lopez discusses the use of finding female identities. Specifically there is a discussion on the Latina mother as we come to learn more about the negative interpretations La Llorona encourages in regards to overall patriarchal ideals.

Author:

Larissa Mercado-Lopez is an Associates Professor at the University of California in Fresno. She is a professor of Women's Studies. She teaches a variety of topics ranging from immigration to Latina Health, and included within the topics she teaches, is the topic of Latina Feminism. In regards to her research, Chicana Feminism is a significant topic she focuses on. Dr. Mercado-Lopez has a PhD in English and Latina Literature.

Link to Full Bio: Larissa Mercado-Lopez

Key Terms:

Metaphors: a comparison of an object that is symbolic of something else/ has different meanings, while still being unrelated to the original object of comparison.

Motherhood: the lifestyle women take part in that particularly includes taking care of children. (Usually has a traditional role)

Three Quotes:

"The language of invasion, conquest, and violence clearly attempts to vilify Mexican women, their sexuality, their wombs, and even their children" (Mercado-Lopez 214).

"La Llorona was re-envisioned by Anzaldua as a figure that compelled Chicanas to find voice through writing and theorizing" (Mercado-Lopez 218).

“Metaphors in Chicana studies also function as linguistic spaces in which decolonizing theories, methodologies, and paradigms can be produced” (Mercado-Lopez 210)

Value:

This article is of significant value for my paper because here is where we get significant interpretations of the word " transformation" in order to describe La Llorona. Within this article we not only dive into the literary implications of metaphors and how important La Llorona truly is as a symbol, but we also see talks of indigenous concerns which overall comes to not only highlight the typical "Latin Woman" more. It also highlights the negative outcomes of what a negative interpretation of La Llorona could entail.