Woman Hollering Creek Character Analysis

Cisneros’ Development of Stereotypical Female Characters in Her Works Since the beginning of time, the role of women has been consistently similar. Women will work the household, tend to the kids, and provide care for the family, a rather stark contrast to the role of the average man. The greatest contrasts between men and women who have been prominent in society for centuries is the silencing of women, and stripping them of their own independence and decisions simply because of their gender. Such examples of female characters are evident in Cisneros’ “Woman Hollering Creek,” “Eleven,” and “His Story.” In these rather unique, yet all too similar stories, the leading female character has been forced silent by another who seems far more “powerful.” Cisneros’ uses such examples to unveil relevant problems regarding the silencing of women in modern society. …show more content…
It occurs as Cleofilas moves in with her new husband, and shortly after, when he physically abuses her for the first time. The story makes it clear that Cleofilas is shocked at how numb she becomes to such cruel behavior. “Instead, when it happened the first time, when they were barely man and wife, she had been so stunned, it left her speechless, motionless, numb” (Cisneros, “Woman Hollering Creek”). The quote demonstrates Cleofilas as she transforms into a quiet, submissive individual, who is merely a shadow behind her husband. This, like many other examples of Cisneros characters, is the most literal silencing and breaking of a female role in her (Cisneros’)