Fernández de Pinedo, Eva (2002) From the Virgin of Guadalupe to El Santo : new motifs and directions in contemporary Chicano/a writing. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis explores contemporary Chicano/a writing, focusing on its revisionist direction. It argues that Chicanos/as re-conceive aspects of their culture that they do not relate to and adapt them to their socio-political circumstances. Mexican and Chicano/a culture and history are re-articulated, including issues of feminism, sexuality and race.

Chapter one comprises two sections. The first puts contemporary Chicano/a literature into context by exploring its inception and its link with the Chicano movement. The second section then begins to discuss the body of this thesis - the revisionist direction of Chicano/a writing. Thus, the adaptation of Mexican and Chicano/a history and mythology by contemporary writers is analysed. Some of the problems faced by these authors are also examined, such as the pressure to provide an ‘authentic’ portrayal of the community.

Chapter two concentrates on Catholicism and the ways in which Chicana writers combine their religious beliefs with their everyday realities. It discusses the Virgin of Guadalupe, as this is a central figure in Chicana writing and art. This chapter demonstrates that instead of seeing her as a symbol of passivity, Chicanas now interpret her as a source of female empowerment.

Chapter three explores the different approaches undertaken by Chicana writers to revise children’s stories. It analyses how authors incorporate in their writing not only mainstream tales such as The Wizard of Oz but also the Mexican tale of La Llorona.

Chapter four discusses how Mexican and Chicano/a popular culture is articulated in literature, focusing on art forms such as the telenovela. It studies the many layers of meaning of such art forms and the ways in which they help to construct Chicanos/as’ transnational identity.

The conclusion argues that current Chicano/a literature is a complex body of work, moving towards a more individualistic writing. It is suggested that despite being a community-oriented writing, authors feel freer to give a more personal view on aspects such as ethnicity or religion.

This thesis contributes to Chicano/a literary studies by revealing the revisionist approach of recent Chicano/a writing and by discussing the work of previously unexplored authors.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PQ Romance literatures P Language and Literature > PS American literature
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	American literature -- Mexican American authors -- History and criticism, American literature -- Mexican American authors, Mexican American literature (Spanish) -- History and criticism, Mexican American literature (Spanish)
Official Date:	September 2002
Dates:	Date Event September 2002 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Dennis, Helen May ; King, John
Sponsors:	Arts & Humanities Research Council (Great Britain) ; University of Warwick ; European Association for American Studies
Extent:	274 leaves : illustrations
Language:	eng

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