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Gender has always been a hotly debated issue that still receives much arguing from both sides of the spectrum. Throughout history, the roles of men and women have changed drastically to fit the times and attitudes of the world around them. Despite the differing roles between the two sexes, one universal truth has been implemented in all great societies. That truth being that both men and women are of equal and necessary importance to the functioning of a community. This idea is largely explored in “Prayers for the Stolen”; a book that chronicles the lives and experiences of women in a rural community in Mexico. Within the state of Guerrero, Ladydi and her friends grow up in a village with no men except for those in the cartel who try to kidnap …show more content…
all young girls and put them into sex trafficking. This shortage of men can be seen as both a blessing and a curse on the women depending on the circumstances.
Moreover, a lack of a proper male influence can truly be felt in several different contexts. In the novel, “Prayers for the Stolen”, by Jennifer Clement, the women of Ladydi’s community are inadvertently oppressed by males who are loathed yet needed.
The lack of men is a very apparent issue in the mountainous village in which the main characters live. While throughout most of the novel men are seen in a negative light for the suffering they bring, they are ultimately a crucial part of Ladydi’s society. This is further explored when she is trying to explain the lack of men in her community. She explains that on her mountain, “there were no men. It was like living where there are no trees.”, when describing the strange predicament of her home (Clement 10). Ladydi further explains this by quoting her mother who said, “being in a place without men is like being asleep without dreams.” (Clement 10). Attitudes like these imply that something is lost or missing in the absence of the men from the mountain; it’s almost as if that male influence is vital and can never be replaced. Studies on actual Mexican
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villages support that the absence of men can have a negative correlation on the women of the community. By having their men gone, “women in rural Mexico ‘stress temporary increased responsibility and labor – not increased autonomy or freedom.’”, meaning that women did not respond well to the lack of men (Ayala and Murga 2). By having their own roles together in a community, men and women take on their own unique responsibilities that are both essential. Removing men from a society takes away an integral part that can be felt as in the case of the characters in the novel. However, while needed, men are also portrayed in an undesirable light when the reason for their absence is revealed. The men are explained to have, “crossed the river to the United States”, but upon crossing, “they shed their women and their children” along the way (Clement 10). During their quest to improve their family’s quality of life, the Mexican husbands and fathers often lost sight of their goals and instead carried on in a selfish pursuit of happiness. The duality of men becomes abundantly clear when it is seen that they are both wanted and despised for several different facets. By not having any men, the idea of matrimony is woefully suppressed in the mountainous village.
Romance is a wonderful thing to have in a woman’s life, but with all the men travelling away in the novel, it’s almost impossible for the characters to satisfy a very real need. In a flashback, Ladydi describes the way that her mom used to become excited at the prospect of her dad coming home from work. She elaborates this by stating that her mom would become, “more and more excited.”, and “put on some lipstick and change into a clean dress” whenever her dad would be walking up the mountain after a day’s work (Clement 42). Rita dressing herself up expresses her love of her husband and allows her to express her inner femininity by becoming beautiful. Although depicted here as happy and gleeful, this early version of Rita contrasts heavily with the Rita that is mainly depicted in the novel. Rather than the sweet and loving wife of yester-year, Rita, as the reader knows her, becomes an alcoholic who constantly curses and berates her husband much to the dismay of Ladydi who is often found on the receiving end of these emotional outbursts. Consequently, the outbursts and rants put forth by Rita are attributed mostly to her husband. Her marriage is implied to have been dead when, “the radio was turned off”, and that, “she might as well have turned her happiness to off”, as well (Clement 97). Rita’s transformation from a song bird with her husband to her hating music represents a shift
in her feelings towards her husband. From a loving marriage to a hateful resentment, a paradox of attitudes towards men is again seen within the context of marriage in the community. Having no men in the community leads to the repressing of natural sexual desires and femininity within the women of the mountain. A prime example of men’s role in femininity can be seen when Jose Rosa comes to teach. Described as a handsome teacher sent from Mexico City, Jose Rosa brings out a sexual desire amongst all of the women of the village. Ordinarily, the young girls would be dressed as boys going to school, but Jose’s presence is said to have first caused them to protest, “against being made unattractive or dressing like boys” (Clement 47). This line is profound in that it describes the girls’ inner struggle to keep their femininity withheld. By making themselves ugly, they feel as though they cannot appeal to him in a way that can capture his attention. This sexual draw is also seen in the older women of the village as represented by Rita’s odd behavior prior to inviting Jose over to her home. Normally Rita would not take into consideration her appearance and image, but, in order to impress Jose, her hair was transformed into, “yellow cotton-candy hair” (Clement 50). This longing for attention from the opposite sex is shown to cause the women of the mountain to go to strange lengths in order to receive it due to its rarity. Conversely, a majority of the story warns of the dangers of beauty and illustrates that, “the best thing you can be in Mexico is an ugly girl”, despite the inner feelings that these girls may have (Clement 1). Sex is also a subject that oppresses many women within this novel because of the nature of the abductions and crime conducted at the hands of men in the cartel. This reality is something that Ladydi and her friends are reminded of constantly as they are stripped of their femininity in the name of their own protection. Accordingly, the abuse that Paula endured by being sold into sex trafficking caused her to regress into a baby-like entity that, when finally home, stands with, “a baby bottle in one hand”, while “naked” (Clement 78). The psychological damage sustained by such an extreme case of sexual abuse must be too much to even comprehend fully. This helps to put into perspective of how extreme the poles are when describing the male influence on the sexuality of women. The contrast between a natural sexual desire and being forced into sex slavery are two distinctly different ends of the continuum that is perpetuated by the disappearance of proper male roles in the community. With the absence of men in the community, fatherhood is a concept that is completely nonexistent in the mountain village Ladydi calls home. Nevertheless, the best example of fatherhood is actually the relationship between Georgia, the prisoner from Scotland, and her father. Their relationship between father and daughter is so great that, “he had become a legend”, within the prison Ladydi was in because of his obvious love for his daughter (Clement 186). This love is expressed in the form of, “new clothes, shoes, bedding, and bathroom articles”, along with, “packages and money every week” (Clement 186). While this may seem like a small gesture, many of the other women of the prison
As much as men are working, so are women, but ultimately they do not face the same obstacles. For example, “Even if one subscribes to a solely economic theory of oppression, how can one ignore that over half of the world's workers are female who suffer discrimination not only in the workplace, but also at home and in all the areas sex-related abuse” (Moraga 98). This gives readers a point of view in which women are marginalized in the work place, at home, and other areas alike. Here Moraga gives historical accounts of Chicana feminists and how they used their experiences to give speeches and create theories that would be of relevance. More so, Moraga states how the U.S. passes new bills that secretly oppress the poor and people of color, which their community falls under, and more specifically, women. For instance, “The form their misogyny takes is the dissolution of government-assisted abortions for the poor, bills to limit teenage girls’ right to birth control ... These backward political moves hurt all women, but most especially the poor and "colored." (Moraga 101). This creates women to feel powerless when it comes to control one’s body and leads them to be oppressed politically. This places the government to act as a protagonist, and the style of writing Moraga places them in, shines more light to the bad they can do, especially to women of color. Moraga uses the words, “backward moves”
Admittedly, the first time I listened to Sonia Sanchez read her “Poem for Some Women” the words stung a bit. As her voice oscillates between a soothing and demanding tone, the topic shifts from a drug addicted mother to a child’s traumatic experience of rape and assault. Briefly put, in a desperate attempt to quell her addiction, the poem’s narrator trades her seven year old daughter in exchange for drugs. In the end, the child runs away from home. Despite its graphic imagery and poignant portrayal of both sexual assault and addiction, the poem is not criticizing the actions of the women it depicts.
In addition, these women were often subjected to control, domination, and violence by men” (Global). This validates Azuela’s stance on how women should stay within their traditional roles because fighting for equality has been ineffective even today.
Throughout the novel “The House of the Spirits” by Isabel Allende the reader sees many instances that exemplify the antagonistic nature of man verses woman. Through Esteban Trueba’s raping of many of the women at Tres Marias, his marriage with Clara, his relationship with his daughter Blanca and her with her lover Pedro Tercero Garcia and with Alba Trueba’s relationship with her lover Miguel and her Grandfather Esteban, much of what Allende wants the reader to know about the nature of man verses woman is exposed. Nature pits man against woman, in marriage, love, sex, work, and war. Women can choose their battles and fight them subtly, without really seeming to, because all women know that the men like to think they are in charge when they really aren’t, and that men will fight every battle just to prove that they are men. Triumph over a weaker opponent does not make men stronger. It only makes them feel powerful. Allende writes about women who are able to quietly persevere, always managing to get their own way, without seeming too, because they know the only way to keep men happy is to let them feel powerful and in charge.
The story “Woman Hollering Creek" by Sandra Cisneros describes the lives of Mexicans in a Chicago neighborhood. She depicts the life that women endure as Latino wives through her portrayal of the protagonist, Cleofilas. For Cisneros being a Mexican-American has given her a chance to see life from two different cultures. In addition, Cisneros has written the story from a woman’s perspective, illustrating the types of conflicts many women face as Latino wives. This unique paradigm allows the reader to examine the events and characters using a feminist critical perspective.
Gender inequality has been a major issue for many centuries now. Societies insist on assigning males and females to different roles in life. The traditional stereotypes and norms for how a male and female should present themselves to the world have not changed much over time. But individuals are more than just their gender and should have the right to act and be treated the way they want. The novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston illustrates the discrimination against women and the issues that arise from a gender double standard society.
They took care of the fields, the animals, cooking, cleaning, caring for the children, Rosa, in San Marcos was a prime example, believing herself to be both man and a woman. (Boehm 2012 p. 71) In the case of the Salazar family, the men were able, with the help of a coyote, to live and work in Albuquerque. The women of the family all remain in San Marcos. Like Rosa, the women perform all the chores of both man and woman. In cases like these, men do not see their families for many years, they cannot return. They hope one day, to be reunited in Albuquerque. But, the men are unsure if they want their family to live there. (Boehm 2012 p. 37, 38)
Intertwined in allusions to women of Mexican history and folklore, making it clear that women across the centuries have suffered the same alienation and victimization, Cisneros presents a woman who struggles to prevail over romantic notions of domestic bliss by leaving her husband. In the story Woman Hollering Creek, Sandra Cisneros discusses the issues of living life as a married woman through a character named Cleófilas; a character who is married to a man who abuses her physically and mentally. Cisneros reveals the way the culture puts a difference between a male and a female, men above women. In Woman Hollering Creek, we see a young Mexican woman, who suddenly moves across the border and gets married. The protagonist, Cleófilas’ character is based on a family of a six brothers and a dad and without a mom, and the story reveals around her inner feelings and secrets.
“Poverty and exploitation of women in Latin America can never be alleviated because they are rooted in machismo,” meaning that because of the way society was run in Latin American, women can’t advance from the ancient state of mind that they belong in the private sphere and should stay there, because only men are good enough to be out in the public sphere. The reason why society was run in this manner, was because of the machismo feeling engraved in the minds of men and, in some cases, women in society. Alicia, Carolina, and Nancy don’t really have any other choice, than try to survive on their own by doing acts that are not “approved” by the society they live in. Even now, because of their actions, we could even disagree with the way they decided to approach their situation, because even now a day, we could think that selling one’s body or being involved in “off the book”
Prayers for the stolen is about a young heroic woman by the name of Ladydi Garcia Martinez. She was a young, intelligent and gregarious woman who lived in Guerrero, Mexico. Her life was very unstable because during this time women and young girls were often taken and placed into human trafficking. In her earlier years, her mother was forced to dress her as an ugly girl or as a boy so that she would not draw attention to the human traffickers. They were like terrorist to the land. Parents would do the strangest things in order to portray their children as undesirable targets. Sometimes the young girls would have to hide in holes in order to not be captured by the Human Traffickers. Unfortunately, Ladydi lived in a deadly drug war where tomorrow
The Prayers for the Stolen is a page turning masterpiece. Ladydi was named after Princess Diana because of the symbol of loves betrayal. Many women can sympathize with Ladydi’s mother. Ladydi’s father cheated on her mother several times and left the family and moved to America to support his second family. Maria, Ladydi’s best and closest friend, is actually Ladydi’s half-sister by her father, which puts her in danger by Ladydi’s mother, who hates Ladydi’s father. Maria looks just like Ladydi’s father. One part of the story really shocked me when Ladydi’s drunken mother pulls a gun out and shoots Maria. Ladydi rushes Maria to the hospital. Another part in the story that is shocking is when Paula, Ladydi’s friend gets stolen by the drug traffickers and sex traffickers and after a year goes by, she returns but is forever changed. She is covered in marks, cigarette marks to make who she is. Something she learned from another kidnapped woman. Paula is mentally damaged and destroyed emotionally. Ladydi wants a better life and so she leaves for a job in another city. This story is heartbreaking and inspiring. If ever we are having a hard time, we should think about Ladydi Garcia Martinez, a fictional character based on true
In the story "Woman Hollering Creek" Sandra Cisneros discusses the issues of living life as a married woman through a character named Cleofilas; a character who is married to a man who abuses her physically and mentally .Cisneros reveals the way the culture puts a difference between a male and a female, men above women. Cisneros has been famous about writing stories about the latino culture and how women are treated; she explain what they go through as a child, teen and when they are married; always dominated by men because of how the culture has been adapted. "Woman Hollering Creek" is one of the best examples. A character who grows up without a mother and who has no one to guid and give her advise about life.
Although women have conquered more power over the years, machismo still rules all over Mexico. Women is taught to be “stay-at-home” individuals and serve the men of her family and society. That type of thinking reinforces domestic violence, street violence, and the formation of groups that kidnap young women due to women’s vulnerability and the lack of protection in Mexico. Brooke Binkowski says that, “this issue’s been going on for a long time: the mistreatment of women, especially women of colour, the abuse of women, the disappearance of women” (Binkowski). Despite all the fight for equal rights, women are still treated like inferior
In today’s advanced societies, many laws require men and women to be treated equally. However, in many aspects of life they are still in a subordinated position. Women often do not have equal wages as the men in the same areas; they are still referred to as the “more vulnerable” sex and are highly influenced by men. Choosing my Extended Essay topic I wanted to investigate novels that depict stories in which we can see how exposed women are to the will of men surrounding them. I believe that as being woman I can learn from the way these characters overcome their limitations and become independent, fully liberated from their barriers. When I first saw the movie “Precious” (based on Sapphire’s “Push”) I was shocked at how unprotected the heroine, Precious, is towards society. She is an African-American teenage girl who struggles with accepting herself and her past, but the cruel “unwritten laws” of her time constantly prevent her rise until she becomes the part of a community that will empower her to triumph over her barriers. “The Color Purple” is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker which tells the story of a black woman’s, Celie’s, striving for emancipation. (Whitted, 2004) These novels share a similar focus, the self-actualization of a multi-disadvantaged character who with the help of her surrounding will be able to triumph over her original status. In both “The Color Purple” and “Push”, the main characters are exposed to the desire of the men surrounding them, and are doubly vulnerable in society because not only are they women but they also belong to the African-American race, which embodies another barrier for them to emancipate in a world where the white race is still superior to, and more desired as theirs.
In the Woman Hollering Creek, Sandra Cisneros makes use of several short stories to expose the Mexican culture destined gender roles inequalities against women. From a very young age most Mexican girls are endangered to take the household responsibilities as their core duty. Once they reach adolescence they imperilled to think about marriage as the unrivalled way for them to leave their parents support. I argue that the Mexican culture through the medium of tradition and media is assembling a society in which woman, from the moment they are born, bear a life of parental and marital submission.