Jen Hair - Writing Portfolio

          \In Black Widow’s Wardrobe, Lucha Corpi explores the evolution of Latina stereotypes by introducing strong, intelligent, independent female characters who resist traditional roles to which they were born. Corpi employs rich imagery of Hispanic cultural events, folklore, and legends to add layers of intrigue to a modern-day mystery. On a cold and misty November evening, the novel opens with the main character, Gloria Damasco, participating in a parade commemorating Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead, a celebration for Hispanics to remember their deceased loved ones. In a sea of celebrants wearing black, Gloria notices a woman in all white, she later learns is the Black Widow (Licia Lecuona), notorious for killing her husband 20 years before. Gloria later witnesses an attempt on Licia’s life and is further drawn into the mystery that surrounds her life and notoriety. Gloria learns that Licia killed her husband after suffering years of abuse at his hand.

In  Woman Hollering Creek  (1991), a collection of short stories, Sandra Cisneros shares urban experience of the present-day Chicano. The stories tell stories of devotion to family, culture, and religion.  They also detail characters feelings of not being ethnic enough, yet not being Anglo enough either.  The characters also deal with fidelity and infidelity in romantic love.  The collection starts off with an essay about a young girl and Lucy, her friend. The narrator of “My Lucy Friend Who Smells Like Corn,” brings attention to all the things about Lucy that make her appear “more” Mexican than herself, pointing out how she falls short.  “I'm going to sit in the sun, don't care if it's a million trillion degrees outside, so my skin can get so dark it's blue where it bends like Lucy's” (3).  By the end of the story, she lists all of the things she will do with Lucy, making it seem as though they are the same person, there will be no autonomy between the two.  The na

The Chicano search for identity is explored by poet Rodolfo Gonzales in his epic tale,  Yo  Soy Joaquín  -  I Am Joaquín .  The opening line, “I am Joaquín”, is not only a statement of fact, it is also an invitation for the reader to join along on the author’s existential autobiographical journey.  Joaquín is a metaphorical representation of the Chicano.   Yo Soy Joaquín -  I Am Joaquín  was written at the precipice of Chicano Movement of the late 60’s and early 70’s and has been credited as the premier work of the Chicano Literary Renaissance which began during this time of social and racial upheaval in the United States. (Hartley) The poem begins with Joaquín identifying the basic conditions of his life to this point: confusion, manipulation, loss of history, and the struggle to regain the culture of his people.  As the story progresses, it becomes clear thatJoaquín’s ancestry is extremely diverse.  Joaquín feels forced to choose between his history and his future, causing him to fee