Women In Los De Abajo

The emasculated narrative found in Los de Abajo is not uncommon throughout. Feminine characteristics found within this novel seemed to not be spared the time. Baker (2012) supports this by stating that within the revolution gender was everything, including survival. Those weak and feminine would not prosper and the assasination of Camila by a strengthened female backs this theory. Therefore with her desire for self-advancement she could, like the other opportunist in the novel Luis Cervantes, stand to benefit in the post-revolutionary era. Although it is important to note that some understood that the women in the revolution were necessary to the success of each side: ‘sin las soldaderas no hay Revolución Mexicana: ellas la mantuvieron vivas

Azuela, on the other hand, evidently does not support this view as through his narrative we see the similar negativity surrounding the female characters and therefore the novel is lacking respect for both ‘soldadera’ and ‘soldado’, proving that neither were necessary as they either were too weak or ruined the course and morals of the revolution ideals.

Ultimately, the idea that Pintada would pay no punishment and her advancement through her male characteristics indicates the she is a representation of those who succeeded after the revolution. This is in comparison to Camila who is a character that intrinsically embodies the title of the novel: the underdog. Only in part two are the readers introduced to La Pintada, within this one can see the deterioration of the group’s morals and their increasingly lowly behaviour, therefore readers will intrinsically link the introduction of La Pintada with the corruption of the group ultimately meaning that her image is damaging. However, this corrupting influence that La Pintada may portray could also be read as her taking advantage of the revolution and all the activities involved. According to her opportunistic character, and as previously stated

Their stereotypical nature depicting representation of the two polar opposite women in Mexico in this era demonstrating that although the nature of these characters are completely different, they are similarly put into a negative position. However, the similarities become less prominent when viewing the characters as how they are labelled. The label of ‘soldadera’ that undertones Camila’s character indicates the lesser respect that she gained from the men in the group as that is the one that would care for the soldiers and is just there to be used by the men, although often these women were viewed as nececssary, however in the narrative for Azuela, one can assume that he did not believe this latter idea. Thus, the main difference is that Pintada is gaining respect from the ‘soldados’, including Azuela himself, as she is referred to as a ‘soldada’, this means that Pintada has the same respect as the men by acting in her emasculated manner. However, once exploring the characters in what the symbolise in the revolution as a whole again the characters are completely different. Pintada is depicted as the side that will prosper and ultimately gain power after the revolution due to her adventurous and opportunistic side in contrast to the