Abstract
Although most critics of Under the Feet of Jesus have studied the political and social implications of Helena Maria Viramontes's depiction of piscadores, this article argues that the novel's rich use of symbolism depicts the protagonist's maturation through her mastery of semiotics. In learning how to assign meaning to physical and linguistic symbols, Estrella learns how to define and claim her own inscape, her subjective consciousness. Through the central symbols of the novel-the barn, the La Brea Tar Pits, owls/flying creatures, Jesus, and fire-Estrella explores the complex notion of human freedom inside a system of marginalization.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 366-377 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Critique - Studies in Contemporary Fiction |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 1 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Literature and Literary Theory
Cite this
"Bone, flesh, feather, fire" : Symbol as freedom in Helena Maria Viramontes's Under the Feet of Jesus. / Cooper, Lydia R.
In: Critique - Studies in Contemporary Fiction, Vol. 51, No. 4, 01.07.2010, p. 366-377.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - "Bone, flesh, feather, fire"
T2 - Symbol as freedom in Helena Maria Viramontes's Under the Feet of Jesus
AU - Cooper, Lydia R.
PY - 2010/7/1
Y1 - 2010/7/1
N2 - Although most critics of Under the Feet of Jesus have studied the political and social implications of Helena Maria Viramontes's depiction of piscadores, this article argues that the novel's rich use of symbolism depicts the protagonist's maturation through her mastery of semiotics. In learning how to assign meaning to physical and linguistic symbols, Estrella learns how to define and claim her own inscape, her subjective consciousness. Through the central symbols of the novel-the barn, the La Brea Tar Pits, owls/flying creatures, Jesus, and fire-Estrella explores the complex notion of human freedom inside a system of marginalization.
AB - Although most critics of Under the Feet of Jesus have studied the political and social implications of Helena Maria Viramontes's depiction of piscadores, this article argues that the novel's rich use of symbolism depicts the protagonist's maturation through her mastery of semiotics. In learning how to assign meaning to physical and linguistic symbols, Estrella learns how to define and claim her own inscape, her subjective consciousness. Through the central symbols of the novel-the barn, the La Brea Tar Pits, owls/flying creatures, Jesus, and fire-Estrella explores the complex notion of human freedom inside a system of marginalization.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77956310369&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77956310369&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/00111610903379941
DO - 10.1080/00111610903379941
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:77956310369
VL - 51
SP - 366
EP - 377
JO - Critique - Studies in Contemporary Fiction
JF - Critique - Studies in Contemporary Fiction
SN - 0011-1619
IS - 4
ER -