Literature Review #5

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Citation:

Joann Furlow Allen. “SEEKING SAFE SISTERS: SANDRA CISNEROS’S USE OF THE SOURCE OF THE MYTH LA LLORONA AS SISTER FIGURE.” Journal of Intercultural Disciplines, vol. 7, National Association of African American Studies, 2007, p. 9–.

Summary:

Joann Furlow Allen's article "Seeking Safe Sisters" describes the overall narrative of the Latin Woman. In this article, Furlow Allen provides insight on the Mexican American writer, Sandra Cisneros in order to gain a perspective of the life of a Chicana. Within the article there is a common theme of using La Llorona as a sister that is relevant in the life of a Latin female through ideas such as "La Gritona" (a more positive interpretation of La Llorona's cry). To further positively influence La Llorona's image, there is discussion on the lack of a positive relationship between Latin women themselves.

Author: Joann Furlow Allen

Dr. Joann Furlow Allen is an English professor at Oral Roberts University who works specifically in the English and Modern Language Department. She has a background speaking at conferences and giving lectures pertaining to women of color and diversity in regards to many cultures. She acquired a PhD specifically in English Literature relating to African American and Latin-American literature. 

Link to Bio:  

Key Terms:

Sisterhood: a community of women, whether related or with a common similarity or interest. Serves as a support system.

Wail: a high pitched cry of pain or heavy emotion

Three Quotes:

"There is, therefore, a tendency for women in patriarchal cultures to internalize their oppression instead of sharing the load with other women or working together to lighten it" (Furlow Allen 9).

"Between females and males and protesting their demotion to a lesser status, their denigration. Like La Llorona, the Indian woman’s only means of protest was wailing” (Furlow Allen 15).

"Cisneros also deconstructs the patriarchal mythmaking that portrays Llorona as the quintessential vapid female by making her part of a supportive female community or sisterhood" (Furlow Allen 18).

Value:

This article has significant value to my research because we are opened to the pivotal components of the Latin Woman. Beyond the obedience the Latin woman presents to her husband/male counterpart, we are given insight to the negative relationship between women themselves. We see a first hand example of transforming La Llorona into a companion due to such reasons which ultimately further enriches the components of my paper.