Pedro Paramo Patriarchy

Patriarchy, a system of society in which the men hold the power, dominated Mexico's culture, and differentiated the roles of men and women within their society. The men are the head of household, the bread winners and the ones who hold control over the members of their family; especially the women. The women hold little to no power and are domesticated workers, without identity or freedom. In the novel “Pedro Paramo” Juan Rulfo conveys the powerful concept of patriarchy in Mexico as seen through the patriarchal couple, Donis and his wife/sister and challenged by Susana San Juan.

Juan Preciado arrives to Comala to find his father Pedro Paramo as he promised his mother on her deathbed. As Juan Preciado makes his way into town, he meets many people

For instance, Juan Rulfo decides to name the man and not the woman of this couple. By not providing a name to the female, it makes this character seen as nobody. She has no identity of her own, only that of Donis, as his wife/sister. She is just a female that must clean, cook, and stay at home like many women who are recognized as domestic workers. A woman without identity does not exist in society and has no saying. This couple also symbolizes the last children of Pedro Paramo, the father and ruler of everyone. Juan Rulfo initially introduces Pedro Paramo as a male patriarchy when Abundio Martinez shows Juan Preciado the abundance of land that belongs to Pedro Paramo. Pedro Paramo is the ruthless patriarch, strong, and a boss or leader over everyone. He is one of the many faces of machismo just like Donis. Pedro Paramo does not show his emotions in public because men do not cry. He violates the law and women for his own gain. For instance, he tells Fulgor “Cuales leyes? La ley de ahora en adelante la vamos a hacer nosotros” as if the laws do not apply to him. He used Juan Preciado’s mother, Dolores, to get land and money for him to become wealthy and have power through the land. Pedro Paramo even kills Bartolome San Juan, Susana San Juan’s father to own her. Donis, his sister and Pedro Paramo are examples of the patriarchy seen in Mexico. This couple, Donis and his sister, represent the past and

San Juan, to the catholic church, was the one who baptized Jesus Christ, the one who brought change. Susana is not like the women previously seen in the novel. She is not shy about her body. On the contrary, she exclaims “en mis piernas comenzaba a crecer el vello entre las venas y mis manos temblaban tibias al tocar mis senos”. Even in death, Susana responds with life. She feels no shame, no guilt, and no sin because she has not done anything to make her feel that way. Unlike Susana, who embraces her body and feels free, Donis’ sister feels guilty for something she did not do and that guilt and shame is what makes her think she is ugly. Susana is not a woman that stays at home cooking and cleaning like Donis’ sister. She is a woman who enjoys being outside by the ocean naked. For instance, she says “mi cuerpo se sentía a gusto sobre el calor de la arena. Tenía los ojos cerrados, los brazos abiertos, desdobladas las piernas a la brisa del