Research Paper On La Llorona

1004 Words3 Pages

The legend of La Llorona goes back thousands of years ago all over the world. La Llorona is known for drowning her children in a river over sadness and rage when she finds out that her lover is set to marry a woman of “higher class” than her. She immediately regrets her decision of pushing her kids into the busy river; She tried to chase them down and save them, but it was too late. La Llorona then jumped into the river and took her own life because of the regret she felt. After the incident, many people have claimed to see a woman in white clothing, weeping for her children by the edge of rivers. The tragic story of La Llorona, a woman who drowns her children in a river over jealousy and anger, affected Hispanic culture by becoming one of …show more content…

One of the original versions of the story from mexico is,”...the jilted woman trope finally united with the imagery of Aztec goddesses along with the act of warning her people about their impending doom and lamenting the birth of the modern mexican nation through mixing of blood” (Fuller). Even in this version, there is a woman figure, who warns her people to stay away from harm. The myth of La Llorona can be found in places other than Mexico as well,” However, there are many similar and old European and Old World Motifs she could be linked to: the “White Woman” of the German and Slavic tradition” (Fuller). In those versions of the myth, there is a barbarian girl who murders her own children, because her husband left her for another woman that fitted the “Greek Image” better. The many different versions of this legend can also change depending on who is telling the story. Authors have been known to put their own creative twist on the story of La Llorona. A play that was written by Francisco C. Neve in 1917 is the perfect example: A woman named Luisa has a son with her lover, Ramiro, who is much wealthier than her and has a “higher status”. However, Ramiro is supposed to marry the daughter of a judge, and Luisa had no idea about it. When she found out, she was so enraged and felt betrayed over Ramiro marrying another …show more content…

Not only is it passed down orally, but through books, movies, and of course, the internet. All of these sources have brought knowledge and even more connection to Hispanic people. The story is so close to our hearts,” The hispanic people believe that the weeping woman will always be with them, following the many rivers looking for her children, and for this reason, many of them fear the dark and pass the legend from generation to generation” (Weiser). Whether we like it or not, La Llorona will always be with us; Especially if it is continued to be passed down orally. The tradition of passing down the story to your children brings families together like no other. A woman who got interviewed for the chieftain newspaper said,” Even though it’s a frightening story, it became a way for us to come together” (Lyons). Everytime the story of La Llorona is passed down, it creates a stronger bond between hispanic people and their

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