Adapting Autobiography to Theory: The Role of Language and the Body in Gloria Anzaldúa’s Autohistoria-teoría

The aim of this thesis is to examine Gloria Anzaldúa's autohistoria-teoría as a genre that many scholars place under the broader category of autotheory. However, based on my analysis, I argue that it functions as a genre-breaker within this category. While autotheory remains an area of ongoing scholarly exploration, particularly regarding its permeability and adaptability to various literary forms, its use of autobiography, philosophy, Theory, and cultural critique is unmistakable and it is reflected through diverse linguistic, stylistic, and formal choices. In contrast, autohistoria-teoría is grounded in autobiography but specifically aims at theorizing from one’s embodied and emotional lived experiences. Theory in autohistoria-teoría is not confined to poststructuralist or postmodern thought; rather, it is a more tangible and embodied form of theorization, deeply tied to the body, identity, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality, with an emphasis on healing within the context of marginalization and discrimination. Lastly, this thesis analyzes Anzaldúa’s poetic and visual production by focusing on its potential for individual and collective healing in the context of feminist theory. It also explores how her poetry connects to Lina Botero’s El oficio de desvestirse, suggesting this as a possible evolution in the poetic process, now enriched with a visual dimension.