Analysis and Write-Alike of a Story of Self
"Pelo suelto" by Gloria Trevi
Story of Self: "Pelo suelto" by Gloria Treviv
What is this? A song from Trevi’s album Tu ángel de la guarda (1991)
Text: Read the lyrics below, and watch the music video at this link:
A mí me gusta andar de pelo suelto
Me gusta todo lo que sea misterio
Me gusta ir siempre en contra del viento
Si dicen blanco, yo les digo negro
A mí me gusta andar de pelo suelto
Aunque me vean siempre con enredos
Me gusta todo lo que sea sincero
Yo soy real y no tengo reverso
A mí me gusta andar de pelo suelto
Aunque me digan que hasta barro el suelo
Ser agresiva como gata en celo
Y, a veces, mansa como león con sueño
A mí me gusta andar de greña suelta
Aunque se acabe de infartar mi abuela
A mí me gusta andar de pelo suelto
Aunque me pongan gritos en el cielo
Y voy, y voy, y voy, y voy, y voy, y voy
Voy a traer el pelo suelto
Voy a ser siempre como quiero
Voy a olvidarme de complejos
A nadie voy a tener miedo
Voy a traer el pelo suelto
Voy a ser siempre como quiero
Aunque me tachen de indecente
Aunque hable mal de mí la gente
A mí me gusta andar de pelo suelto
Yo no soporto a los hombres serios
Si alguien quiere que me corte el pelo
Aunque lo ame se va mucho al cuerno
A mí me gusta andar de pelo suelto
A los cepillos ya ni puedo verlos
Me gusta serle fiel a un sentimiento
Voy a olvidarme de los tristes tiempos
Y voy, y voy, y voy, y voy, y voy, y voy
Part 1: Analysis
Read through the story of self above and then answer the questions below.
Example: If you’re having trouble, here’s an example of how to analyze a story of self:
Your turn:
- What aspect of selfhood is this writer focusing on?
- What are the moments or events they focus on in relation to that aspect of selfhood?
- What is the tone of this piece? Or, how does this writer feel about the aspect of selfhood they are writing about?
- What details and images do they use to communicate that tone/feeling?
- What are three words you would use to describe this writer, based on this piece of writing? What can you tell about their personality, values, or passions?
Analysis of Eli Clare's Brilliant Imperfection
SAMPLE
Part 2: Write-alike
A write-alike is an exercise in which you take inspiration from the format, structure, and themes of a piece of writing, but replace the original content with your own.
The Original: “Pelo suelto” is a song in rhyming lyric about how the singer’s choice to wear her hair down represents freedom, defiance, and independence.
Questions to think about for your Write-alike:
- What particularly meaningful choice do you make about how you present yourself to the world? (Think about clothing, hairstyle, makeup, jewelry, tattoos, and other aspects of personal style -- or think about other forms of physical presentation, like facial expression, posture, and movement.)
- What does that choice mean to you? What does it communicate about you to the rest of the world?
Starters for your Write-alike:
You could start your write-alike by imitating Trevi’s repeating line, “A mí me gusta andar de pelo suelto” (“I like wearing my hair loose”).
You might start by writing, “A mí me gusta andar de __________________” or “I like wearing ___________________” and replacing “pelo suelto” with your own personal style choice.
Then continue with details about the significance of this choice.
Example:
Your Turn:
Set a timer for 15 minutes and go!