Mujer como sujeto subalterno en cuatro novelas transatlánticas en tiempos de guerra, La: El tiempo entre costuras, La voz dormida, Arráncame la vida y Como agua para chocolate
Date
2016
Authors
Muñoz-Gómez, Dulcinea, author
López-Cabrales, María del Mar, advisor
Purdy, Andrea, committee member
Sagás, Ernesto, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
This thesis studies how women are represented in four novels and how they appear as subaltern subjects during the course of their stories. Two novels are set in Spain and the other two take place in Mexico. This paper addresses the different ways in which these women are subjugated, either by society or by their own family. The first chapter, presents the theories developed by Subaltern Studies, which emerged in Asia in the 1970’s. Subaltern studies attempt to explain how dominant groups abuse other groups and how the dominant group oppress minorities because of their condition of race, ethnicity, gender, social class or religion. Chapter two focuses on the novel titled The Time in Between (2009) by María Dueñas. In this book, the protagonist has to create a new identity for herself so she transforms into a different person who will act almost as she desires during the Franco dictatorship. Third chapter analyzes The Sleeping Voice (2002) by Dulce Chacón, who makes a representation of some women who are political prisoners. The voices of these women are heard indirectly through their testimonies. Which were written in a personal diary for future generations. Chapter four focuses on contextualizing the period of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) and the role that women played in this conflict. Continuing the development of this research project, chapter five considers Angeles Mastretta´s novel, Tear This Heart Out (1985). The protagonist, Catalina, has the opportunity to take on an active role in society due to the social status that her husband, an important politician provides her. Catalina tells her story in first v person, which is an ironic perspective, because although she never frees herself, she shows rebellion, independence and freedom in her character. The last chapter, Like Water for Chocolate (1989) represents the existing patriarchal society of the early twentieth century in Mexico. This chapter, discusses two of the characters in depth, Tita and Gertrudis, and how each of them is heard in their own way.
Description
Text in Spanish; title page and abstract in Spanish and English.