Of La Llorona by Thomas A. Janvier
The narrative centers on a spectral figure known as the Wailing Woman, a haunting presence in the streets of a city, feared more than any other supernatural entity. She is described as a woman in white, who, despite her seemingly respectable appearance, brings death to anyone who engages with her. Her tragic backstory reveals that she was once a living woman who committed heinous acts against her own children, drowning them in canals. Overcome by guilt, she wanders the streets at night, weeping for her lost offspring. The tale unfolds through various encounters with the Wailing Woman, illustrating her ability to appear simultaneously in different locations, causing terror and madness among those who see her. Watchmen and travelers recount their chilling experiences, often leading to death or insanity. The narrative emphasizes the collective fear surrounding her, as people avoid speaking to her to escape her deadly curse. The Wailing Woman's cries and footsteps echo through the city, particularly during storms, serving as a reminder of her tragic fate and the consequences of her past sins. The story concludes with a sense of dread, as the narrator expresses a desire never to encounter her, underscoring the pervasive fear she instills in the community.
By Thomas A. Janvier · First published 1894 · Genre: Horror, Folklore, Gothic Fiction · 1,083 words
First lines
As is generally known, Senor, many bad things are met with by night in the streets of the City; but this Wailing Woman, La Llorona, is the very worst of them all. She is worse by far than the vaca de lumbre -- that at midnight comes forth from the potrero of San Pablo and goes galloping through the streets like a blazing whirlwind, breathing forth from her nostrils smoke and sparks and flames: because the Fiery Cow, Senor, while a dangerous animal to look at, really does no harm whatever -- and La Llorona is as harmful as she can be! [9]
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Genres
- Horror — The story revolves around the terrifying figure of La Llorona, embodying themes of fear, death, and the supernatural.
- Folklore — La Llorona is a well-known figure in Latin American folklore, representing cultural myths and legends.
- Gothic Fiction — The eerie atmosphere, themes of death, and the supernatural elements align with gothic fiction characteristics.
- Supernatural Fiction — The narrative includes supernatural occurrences and entities, particularly the ghostly presence of La Llorona.
Tags
folklore · mythology · ghost story · Latin American culture · supernatural · legend · water spirit · tragedy · loss · family · women's stories · cautionary tale
What this Textopian page supports
Of La Llorona is listed on Textopian as a short story by Thomas A. Janvier, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Thomas A. Janvier
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Folklore, Gothic Fiction, Supernatural Fiction, Tragedy
- Length: 1,083 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Of La Llorona by Thomas A. Janvier
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