Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Date of Award

7-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS)

First Advisor

Dr. Marci R. McMahon

Second Advisor

Dr. Stephanie Alvarez

Third Advisor

Dr. David Anshen

Abstract

This thesis, with a thorough analysis of The Wailer: La Llorona (2006) and The Wailer II: La Llorona II (2007), analyzes how these films create a new filmic representation of La Llorona. These films, marketed specifically for the Latina/o market, portray an important icon not only for the Mexican and Mexican American community and to a lesser extent a broader Latina/o community but also for Chicana feminists that have adopted her into their world vision as a symbol of agency. I propose a Chicana horror feminist reading of these films to look at gender and genre. The image of La Llorona in these films is deconstructed to analyze how she breaks or perpetuates the virgin/whore dichotomy. When placed side by side, they offer conflicting and problematic views of women and tie them to separate spaces. Through a Chicana horror feminist framework, I explore the possibilities of reading Latinas in horror.

Granting Institution

University of Texas-Pan American

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