“Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes

“Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes first appeared in Chicana Creativity and Criticism: Charting New Frontiers in American Literature, a 1987 collection that explored the burgeoning field of Chicana literary analysis. The story itself delves into the experiences of Chicana women, particularly their complex relationship with societal beauty standards. Viramontes critiques the privileging of Eurocentric aesthetics and the pressures they exert on women of color. Through the fraught dynamic between Arlene and her daughter Champ, the narrative explores themes of femininity, socioeconomic constraint, and the yearning for self-determination.

Main Events in “Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes

• Cosmetic Shopping at Kmart: Arlene and Champ go through the aisles of Kmart, filled with bargain cosmetics, as Arlene contemplates which hair color to choose, highlighting her indecision between shades of blonde and red.
• Champ’s Assistance and Family Memories: Champ accompanies Arlene, reminiscing about their family and observing Arlene’s dilemma, showcasing their close relationship and mutual reliance.
• Preparations for the Date: Arlene involves Champ in her beauty routine as she meticulously grooms herself, applying Jean Nate crystals and makeup, while Champ assists her, finding bobby pins and offering opinions on her appearance.
• Reflections on Romance and Aspirations: Arlene reminisces about past romantic experiences and her aspirations for companionship, emphasizing her desire to be remembered and desired by her date, reflecting her longing for validation and connection.
• Contemplation of Departure and Return: Champ observes Arlene’s departure for her date and reflects on her potential return, symbolizing the cyclical nature of Arlene’s romantic pursuits and their impact on Champ’s emotions and family dynamics.
• Exploration of Identity and Familial Bonds: The story explores Arlene’s struggles with self-image and her pursuit of happiness through romantic relationships, while Champ reflects on their family dynamics and shared experiences, exploring themes of identity, longing, and familial bonds.

Literary Devices in “Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes

Literary Device	Definition	Explanation	Example
Simile	A figure of speech that compares two different things using “like” or “as.”	“She spits the gum onto the floor” compares spitting gum to an unspecified action.	“Her laughter was like music to his ears.”
Metaphor	A figure of speech that implies a comparison between two unlike things by stating that one thing is another.	“The chain went from room to room, round and round like a web” compares the chain to a web.	“The world is a stage.”
Foreshadowing	A literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story.	“Before he went nuts” hints at Grandpa Ham’s mental state.	In a mystery novel, a character mentions feeling uneasy about a dark alley, hinting at danger ahead.
Dialogue	Conversation between characters in a literary work.	The conversation between Arlene and Champ reveals their personalities and relationship dynamics.	“I hate it, tu sabes, when I can’t decide.”
Characterization	The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.	The passage reveals details about Arlene (indecisive, concerned about appearance) and Champ (passive, observant) through their actions and dialogue.	Arlene’s actions of asking for Champ’s opinion and spitting gum characterize her as indecisive and impulsive. Champ’s shrug of shoulders characterizes her as passive.
Internal monologue	Inner thoughts and reflections of a character expressed in a literary work.	Champ’s thoughts about the gum wrapper and Grandpa Ham provide insight into her memories and feelings.	“The chain went from room to room, round and round like a web” hints at Grandpa Ham’s mental state.
Repetition	The recurrence of a word, phrase, line, or stanza in a speech or literary work.	“tu sabes” is a repeated phrase by Arlene, emphasizing her speech pattern.	“I dunno, tu sabes?”
Juxtaposition	The placement of two or more things (ideas, characters, settings, etc.) side by side for the purpose of comparison or contrast.	Contrasting descriptions such as Arlene’s tight dress versus comfortable sound create vivid contrasts in the passage.	Describing a character as both wealthy and unhappy to emphasize the contrast between material success and emotional fulfillment.
Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.	The blue dress potentially symbolizes desire or escape.	In “The Great Gatsby,” the green light symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams.
Onomatopoeia	The use of words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.	“The dress crinkled sounds of elegance” includes the sound word “crinkled” to evoke the sound of the dress.	“The bees buzzed around the hive.”
Alliteration	The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in neighboring words.	“pink strapless top” repeats the “p” sound.	“She sells sea shells by the seashore.”
Hyperbole	Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.	“She needs plenty of Aqua Net hair spray to tease and tame it” exaggerates the amount of hair spray needed.	“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”
Sensory details	Descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) to create a vivid mental image for the reader.	Throughout the passage, sensory details such as the sight of Arlene’s appearance, the sound of chewing gum, and the smell of nail polish enrich the reader’s experience.	“The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air.”
Flashback	A scene that interrupts the chronological flow of the narrative to depict something that happened at an earlier time.	Champ’s memory of Grandpa Ham making gum wrapper chains provides insight into past events.	In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Scout’s flashbacks to her childhood provide context for understanding her relationship with her father, Atticus.
Indirect characterization	The process of describing a character through their actions, thoughts, speech, appearance, and other characters’ reactions to them.	We learn about the characters through their actions and dialogue, such as Arlene’s indecision and Champ’s passive demeanor.	A character who always helps others without expecting anything in return is indirectly characterized as selfless and kind.
Theme	The central idea or message conveyed by a literary work.	The passage explores themes of identity, self-image, and female relationships through Arlene and Champ’s interactions and internal thoughts.	In “Romeo and Juliet,” one of the themes is the power of love to conquer hate.
Setting	The time and place in which a story takes place.	The story takes place at Kmart and Arlene’s bathroom, providing context for the characters’ actions and interactions.	In “The Great Gatsby,” the setting of 1920s New York reflects the societal values and excesses of the time period.
Point of view	The perspective from which a story is told.	Third-person limited focuses on Champ’s perspective, providing insight into her thoughts and feelings while maintaining some distance from Arlene’s actions and emotions.	In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the story is told from Scout’s point of view, allowing readers to understand events through the eyes of a child.
Vernacular	The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.	Use of informal language such as “Cheeze,” “ama,” and “mija” reflects the characters’ cultural background and adds authenticity to their dialogue.	In “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Mark Twain uses vernacular to capture the speech patterns of characters from the American South.

Major Themes in “Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes

1. The Search for Identity: The story explores the protagonist Rosa’s struggle to find her identity caught between two cultures. She grapples with societal expectations of beauty within the dominant culture and her own Mexican heritage. Hair becomes a significant symbol in this quest, with Rosa’s dark hair representing her Mexican roots and the blonde dye representing an attempt to assimilate.
2. Gender Roles and Expectations: The story portrays the limitations placed on women, particularly those from a working-class background like Rosa. Rosa experiences pressure to conform to traditional gender roles, focusing on marriage and domesticity. However, she also desires personal agency and dreams beyond the limitations imposed on her.
3. Cultural Assimilation vs. Preservation: The story confronts the challenges faced by immigrants and their children in navigating cultural assimilation. Rosa feels pressure to adopt the norms of the dominant culture to fit in, but this also leads to a sense of alienation from her Mexican heritage. The story explores the complex question of whether cultural integration requires sacrificing one’s cultural identity.
4. Beauty Standards and Media Influence: The story critiques societal beauty standards that favor whiteness and Eurocentric features. Rosa feels insecure about her dark features and frizzy hair, internalizing the message that lighter skin and blonde hair are more desirable. The influence of media and advertising in shaping these beauty standards is also highlighted.

Writing Style in “Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes

Literary Theory	Interpretation	Example from “Miss Clairol”
Feminist Criticism	Examines the story through the lens of gender roles, power dynamics, and societal expectations placed on women.	– Rosa’s focus on appearance and desire for a date reflects societal pressure for women to find validation through relationships. – The constant need for makeup and hair dye highlights the pressure to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards.
Cultural Studies	Analyzes the story within the context of cultural identity, assimilation, and the immigrant experience.	– The contrast between Rosa’s dark hair and the blonde dye signifies her struggle between her Mexican heritage and the dominant white culture. – The characters’ limited economic opportunities reflect the challenges faced by working-class immigrants.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Explores the characters’ motivations and desires through their subconscious and internal conflicts.	– Rosa’s fixation on changing her hair color might symbolize a deeper desire to escape her current life and circumstances. – Champ’s emerging sexuality and defiance could represent a rebellion against the limitations placed on women in their family.
Marxist Criticism	Analyzes the story through the lens of class struggle and economic structures.	– The characters’ reliance on K-Mart for shopping signifies their limited economic resources. – Rosa’s dependence on men for financial security highlights the economic vulnerability faced by single mothers.

Topics, Questions and Thesis Statements about “Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes

Topic	Questions	Thesis Statements
Gender Roles and Identity	– How do gender roles shape the lives of the characters in “Miss Clairol”?	In “Miss Clairol,” Viramontes explores how societal gender norms influence the characters’ identities and choices.
Family Dynamics and Relationships	– What role do family dynamics play in the characters’ lives?	Through the lens of family relationships, “Miss Clairol” examines themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience.
Socioeconomic Struggles	– How do socioeconomic factors impact the characters’ experiences?	Viramontes highlights the challenges faced by working-class families and the resilience they demonstrate.
Cultural Identity and Assimilation	– How do the characters negotiate their cultural identity in the story?	“Miss Clairol” explores the complexities of cultural identity and the tension between assimilation and heritage.

Short Questions/Answers about/on “Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes

• What is Rosa’s internal conflict?
• Rosa struggles with her identity, caught between her Mexican heritage and the desire to assimilate into American culture. She feels her dark hair and features are unattractive, wanting to be blonde like the women in magazines (“. . . because whoever she was, whoever they thought she was, it wasn’t the woman on the Miss Clairol box.”).
• What is the significance of hair in the story?
• Hair becomes a symbol of cultural identity and beauty standards. Rosa’s dark hair represents her Mexican roots, while the blonde dye symbolizes the idealized American image she desires. When she considers dyeing her hair, she ponders, “Maybe then someone would ask her out.”
• How does the story portray gender roles?
• The story highlights limitations placed on women, particularly for Rosa’s working-class background. Her mother emphasizes chores and marriage prospects (“していると [Haciendolo] … and find yourself a husband.”), while Rosa craves personal agency and dreams beyond those expectations.
• What role does media play in the story?
• Magazines and advertisements featuring blonde women influence Rosa’s perception of beauty. She internalizes the message that lighter hair and Eurocentric features are desirable, driving her desire to dye her hair (“… whoever they thought she was, it wasn’t the woman on the Miss Clairol box.”).

Literary Works Similar to “Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes

Suggested Readings about/on “Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes

Books:

• Herrera-Sobek, María, and Helena María Viramontes, eds. Chicana Creativity and Criticism: New Frontiers in American Literature. UNM Press, 1996.
• Dulfano, Isabel. “Some thoughts shared with Helena Maria viramontes.” Women’s Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal 30.5 (2001): 647-662.
• Viramontes, Helena María. Their Dogs Came with Them: A Novel. Simon and Schuster, 2007.
• Heredia, Juanita, and Silvia Pellarolo. “East of Downtown and Beyond Interview with Helena Maria Viramontes.” Mester 22.2 (1993).
• Flys-Junquera, Carmen. “Helena María Viramontes: Social and political perspectives of a Chicana writer.” Arizona Journal of Hispanic Cultural Studies 5.1 (2001): 223-238.

Websites:

• Helena Maria Viramontes website: Helena Maria Viramontes (. . . ): https://english.cornell.edu/helena-maria-viramontes (This is Viramontes’ official website with biographical information and resources)
• Chicano Studies: https://ccsre.stanford.edu/academic-programs/chicanao-latinao-studies-program (This website offers resources on Chicano literature and culture)

Representative Quotes from  “Miss Clairol” by Helena Maria Viramontes

Quote	Context	Theorization
“Maybe I need a change, tu sabes? What do you think?”	Arlene contemplates different hair colors at the Kmart beauty aisle.	This quote highlights Arlene’s desire for transformation. She uses hair dye as a way to change her appearance, possibly reflecting a desire to change her life circumstances. The phrase “tu sabes” (“you know”) suggests she seeks Champ’s approval or understanding.
“She spits the gum onto the floor.”	Arlene is looking at nail polish colors.	This seemingly unimportant detail reveals Arlene’s rebellious and disrespectful attitude. It contrasts with the image of beauty products she browses.
“Grandpa Ham used to make chains with these gum wrappers…That was before he went nuts.”	Arlene talks about her grandfather while choosing eye shadow.	This quote introduces a sense of family dysfunction. Arlene’s nonchalant reference to her grandfather’s mental state suggests a history of neglect or abuse. The chain of wrappers could symbolize a desire for connection, but also the cyclical nature of their problems.
“The dress fits too tight. Her plump arms squeeze through, her hips breathe in and hold their breath…”	Arlene tries on a dress for a date.	The physical description of Arlene struggling with the dress highlights the contrast between societal beauty standards and her own body. Despite the discomfort, Arlene prioritizes the look over comfort, reflecting societal pressure on women’s appearance.
“The dress crinkled sounds of elegance.”	Arlene describes the sound of the dress.	This quote uses synesthesia to create a sense of irony. The cheap dress aspires to elegance, but the sound it makes is unconvincing. This detail reinforces the disconnect between Arlene’s desire and reality.