In this paper I explore the problem-within-a-problem of Chicanas trying to come to terms with their sexuality within the Catholic faith, as it is presented and practiced within the over-arching cultural patriarchy. The moral imperatives and boundaries that have been imposed on women go back to post-conquest Mexico. With the culture’s emphasis on power and control, female sexuality has been largely denied, kept a dark secret—at least until recent times. Chicana and other Latina women have, consequently, been socialized and often shamed into repressing their sexual feelings.
The Catholic Church, as it has evolved into a patriarchal institution, has created a moral imperative for women, within which strict boundary lines have been established in terms of what is demanded, what is permitted and what is taboo for those of the feminine gender. The lines which are somewhat blurred, however, are those which determine what is consistent with Christian teaching and what is prescribed by cultural construct. The Virgin Mary, in her various constructions, will be discussed as being a paradoxical figure in terms of female empowerment or repression. Exclusively female rituals such as the quincenera will also be considered.
Particular attention will be given to the particular taboo for a woman to “speak her body,” and how a few brave Chicana and other Latina writers have dared to do so.
Various Chicana writers, such as Maria Elena Valdes and Sandra Cisneros will be referenced as to how they have articulated and expressed female subjugation in the name of religion. Some Chicana poets will be shown as being perhaps the most effective in flying in the face of patriarchal exclusion and taboos by creating a meta-discourse on the relationship between the Chicana literary tradition and the mainstream, which allows for more sexual and individual agency.
About the presenterJoann Furlow Allen
Dr. Joann Furlow Allen is a Professor of English at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She teaches Composition, Multi-Cultural and American Literature classes as well as creative writing and Law in Literature. She has a B.A. from the University of Oklahoma and an M.A. and Ph.D from the University of Tulsa. Her focus areas are African and Latin-American women authors. Her dissertation topic was Sandra Cisneros and her literary use of female source myths.