Catfight

The author utilizes the reality TV show Catfight as a symbol for stereotypes. On the show, each of the contestants is typecast and the director cuts the footage to reinforce their stupidity, promiscuity, or petty anger. Through Catfight, Jiménez examines the manner in which women’s identities are simplified, diluted, and distorted for the entertainment and comfort of others. By way of example, Ruby is portrayed as the promiscuous clown on the show. The camera continuously pans to her crotch when she leans over and the other cast members make comments about her being unsanitary. The author suggests that the same demeaning portrayals and assumptions are made about women in daily life, despite their true behavior, beliefs, or personalities.

Track

In What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez, Jiménez utilizes track to symbolize Ruthy’s desire for freedom. The thirteen year old wants to exist outside...