In English, my name means hope. In Spanish, it means too many letters. It means sadness. It means waiting. It is like the number nine, a muddy color.
Sandra CisnerosRead
I don't see any kind of mirror of power, male power, that is, as a form of liberation. I don't believe in an eye for an eye. I don't believe this is truly freedom.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the notion of power derived solely from gender dynamics, advocating for a deeper understanding of true liberation beyond revenge.
Sandra Cisneros's quote emphasizes that mere reflection of male power does not equate to liberation for anyone, particularly women. It highlights the futility of revenge—a simplistic 'eye for an eye' approach—and suggests that true freedom lies in a more profound understanding of equality and shared humanity rather than perpetuating cycles of power and retribution.
Themes
PowerFreedomLiberationRevengeEquality
In practice
Example use cases
In a feminist discussion on the nature of power dynamics in society.
More from Sandra Cisneros
All quotes →But I deal with this by meditating and by understanding I've been put on the planet to serve humanity. I have to remind myself to live simply and not overindulge, which is a constant battle in a material world.
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I try to be as honest about what I see and to speak rather than be silent, especially if it means I can save lives, or serve humanity.
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I'm a witch woman--high on tobacco and holy water. I'm a woman delighted with her disasters. They give me something to do. A profession of sorts...I have the magic of words. The power to charm and kill at will.
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I have to say that the traditional role is kind of a myth. I think the traditional Mexican woman is a fierce woman.
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And the nice thing about writing a novel is you take your time, you sit with the character sometimes nine years, you look very deeply at a situation, unlike in real life when we just kind of snap something out.
Sandra CisnerosRead
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If there is no element of asceticism in our lives, if we give free rein to the desires of the flesh (taking care of course to keep within the limits of what seems permissible to the world), we shall find it hard to train for the service of Christ. When the flesh is satisfied it is hard to pray with cheerfulness or to devote oneself to a life of service which calls for much self-renunciation.
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