“Women Hollering Creek” is a story about a woman's desperation, anguish and pain in the life she lives. In the story, Cleofila, the protagonist, is attracted by the legend of the Arroyo. The legend of the Arroyo is similar to the life of Cleophila, in that both the women in the legend and Cleophila expressed their desperation for their lives through similar examples. Both the woman in the Arroyo Creek legend and Cleophila experienced the same pain and anger. For example, when Cleophila first married she did not experience the pain of her life and thought the Arroyos were silly, "such a funny name for a stream so pretty and full of happily ever afters" (282 para 3). Cleophila has not experienced suffering, which makes it impossible for her to realize the meaning of the Arroyo. It is only when Cleophila is beaten by her husband and left in emotional turmoil that she understands the legend of the Arroyo stream. Cleophila has always been attracted to this stream. Cleophila is portrayed as a woman who should be submissive to her husband and follow his machoism which is also Cleophila's biggest obstacle besides breaking away from it and having her own voice. Having the opportunity to express herself is proving to be a bigger obstacle for Cleophila, as she has never reacted or yelled at her husband. The first time Cleofila's husband, Juan Pablo, beat her, “he left her speechless, immobile and numb. All he had done was reach into the hot mouth and stare at the blood on his hand as if he didn't understand” (282 par 7). The sheer shock of the accident evoked his inner voice. Arroyo has become a possible voice for Cleofila, since she has not yet had the courage to give voice to herself. Throughout the story there is a pickup truck and she doesn't have a husband, which amazes Cleophila. This woman is just the item Cleophila was looking for! Which was freedom, power and commitment put into one person. No desperation, no anguish, no pain, just being a woman and giving it a voice. Phrasing it as a man, Felice says, “I used to own a Pontiac Sunbird. But those cars are for the viejas. Cool cars. What kind of speech came from a woman?" (288 para 4). “Women Hollering Creek” by Sandra Cisneros is an uplifting piece about a woman shackled by the woman's vision of her culture and having the strength to overcome it. Although the environment and the people around Cleophila do not bring her much hope for change, she runs away and escapes through the joy of watching soap operas. It was the reality of her situation and those around her that gave her hope for change in herself.