Reclaiming the Dark: Defining Darkness as Feminist Agency within The Garden of Eden, "Never Marry a Mexican," and Selected Social Media Platforms

Author

Teresa Hernandez, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

5-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

English

First Advisor

Dr. David Anshen

Second Advisor

Dr. Caroline Miles

Third Advisor

Dr. Marisa Palacios Knox

Abstract

My thesis explores Ernest Hemingway’s The Garden of Eden (1986), Sandra Cisneros’ “Never Marry a Mexican” (1991), and the social media platforms of Tomi Lahren, The Root, and Xicanisma on Facebook and Instagram . In my exploration of these texts and platforms, I define darkness within its multiple definitions primarily via the theme of destruction, sexuality, and/or a literal racial, physical darkness. Furthermore, in this project I challenged the traditionally pejorative analysis of darkness within American literature and provided a chronological presentation of the transformative function darkness imparts on these two texts and selected social media platforms. Ultimately, reclaiming darkness as a feminist agency for women of color.

Comments

Copyright 2017 Teresa Hernández. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/reclaiming-dark-defining-darkness-as-feminist/docview/1964284770/se-2?accountid=7119

Recommended Citation

Hernandez, Teresa, "Reclaiming the Dark: Defining Darkness as Feminist Agency within The Garden of Eden, "Never Marry a Mexican," and Selected Social Media Platforms" (2017). Theses and Dissertations. 305.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/305