A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings

Section 081

November 23, 2004

Miss Clairol

In the story, Miss Clairol, written by Helena Maria Viramontes, was about a woman who goes to the store with her daughter to buy items for a date that she was preparing for later that night. Arlene, who was the woman that was getting ready for her date is a chicana (Mexican Amerian) who throughout the story refers to things or events that brought a smile to her face as "sounding right." As I read the story I could not help but smile throughout the story because it was so close to home. I too am a chicana and could relate to all the events that were happening. I was able to picture myself there. The language Viramontes used was that of what we use at home too. Viramontes takes a woman who is in my eyes, is recalling all that made her happy throughout her years. I think that Arlene did what many women do, remember all that made them happy and try to capture a glimpse of how it used to be. And, how it made them feel.

At the beginning of the story Arlene and her daughter, Champ, are at K-Mart. Arlene is looking for makeup and hair dye that will go with a dress that she is borrowing. This is where Viramontes first uses the phrase "it sounds right". Now think, will this color go good with Pancha's blue dress? Ð'- Pancha is Arlene's comadre. Since Arlene has a special date tonight, she lent Arlene her royal blue dress that she deeps in a plastic bag at the end of her closet. The dress is made of chiffon, with satin-like material underlining, so that when Arlene first tried it on and strutted about, it crinkled sounds of elegance. The dress fits too tight. Her plump arms squeeze through, her hips breathe in and hold their breath, the seams do all they can to keep the body contained. But Arlene doesn't care as long as it sounds right. (1-526 ) Here is a woman who tries on a dress that makes her feel young and beautiful. And, takes her back in my opinion to a time that outer beauty came naturally.

Nowadays, beauty is so commercialized that a woman feels she must look a certain way to fit in. A beautiful woman, by the U.S. Standard of Beauty, should be Caucasian (but able to tan); she should preferably be blonde, and her hair should be long enough to provide a secondary fetish (after her body). She should be under 5'8" but definitely over 5'3", and somewhere between the ages of 16 and 25. She should have no visible hair on her legs or thighs, or under her arms, or on her face (except for eyebrows, but even those may be plucked or waxed away). She should smile a lot. She should not frown, unless in cute exasperation (a la Doris Day); if she cries, she should do it silently and without spoiling her makeup. She should not look noticeably physically strong, though her legs and stomach must be in good muscle tone; she should be slim and long-legged. She should have large eyes, long lashes, abundant and shiny hair (only on her head), red lips, poreless skin, small white teeth, a small Anglo-Saxon nose, small clean ears, and no body odor at all. She should not sweat or exude vaginal secretions of any kind. Her hands should show no evidence of hard manual work. (4) Chicana's do not fit what beauty is defined today.

Arlene then gets ready for her date and puts some Art Labo on the radio. Now, any Chicano/Chicana knows Art Labo. Art Labo is a DJ who is stationed in Fresno, California. You can hear him through various radio stations throughout California. I think you can also hear him in Arizona. His radio station consists of oldies. Every Sunday from seven to ten you can hear him. He is one of a kind. He plays all them good old jams. His radio audience consists of Chicanos. A radio listener can call in and give a dedication on air. You can also hear him give dedications to them bad Chicano boys in prison. As Viramontes states that Arlene is listening to Art Labo. I know exactly how she is feeling. She feels good, turns up the radio to Ð'... your love. For your loveeeee, I will do anything, I will do anything, forrr your love. For your kiss Ð'... (2 Ð'- 527) There is nothing like jamming to some good oldies to take you back.

And Champ likes her mother that way. (3) Champ, knows that her mother is feeling good. Champ is ten years old and she is even old enough to see that her mother is feeling good. Just like any woman with children,