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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the laundromat attendant whom Cleofilas asks about the name of Woman Hollering Creek?

2. What flowers in Dolores’ garden have a sad scent that “reminded Cleofilas of the dead”?

3. Where was Sandra Cisneros born?

4. What is Graciela’s position in “Woman Hollering Creek”?

5. Cleofilas imagines that she will wear outfits like what television star once she lives in America?

Short Essay Questions

1. What symbolic elements in the story represent the borders that alienate Cleofilas?

2. What is the turning point for Cleofilas and her perceptions of identity in the story?

3. What are Cleofilas’ feelings about the character of Felice in “Woman Hollering Creek”?

4. What is the subject of “Woman Hollering Creek”? Into what genre would you categorize the story?

5. Where does Juan Pedro promise to take Cleofilas to obtain her wedding dress? Why does he want to marry quickly?

6. How is the concept of “borders” illustrated thematically in “Woman Hollering Creek”?

7. How does Cleofilas compare Juan Pedro to the male stars of the telenovelas?

8. How does Graciela describe Cleofilas and her condition to Felice? What does she ask Felice to do?

9. Aside from the instances of abuse, when does Cleofilas find her marriage difficult, according to the narrative?

10. Why does Cleofilas plead with Juan Pedro to take her to the doctor in the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the mythology of La Llorona and its symbolic significance in “Woman Hollering Creek.” Why does the author choose to use allusion to this myth? How does the myth relate to the story’s themes? How do the characters of each story relate?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the concept of “cultural hybridization” and its influences on the writers of Chicano literature. In what ways does this genre of literature differ from that of other minorities in the West? How is this concept illustrated in “Woman Hollering Creek”? How does the concept apply to Cleofilas in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the personal journey that is the center of “Woman Hollering Creek.” What lessons does Cleofilas learn in the course of the story? In what ways does her character evolve? Does Cleofilas’ character evolve in a positive or negative way though the narrative? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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