La Malinche went from being interpreted as a chingada to a chingona (a badass). The historical interpretation of Maliche as a weak and fatal historical figure is an example of a patriarchal (machista) way of interpreting history, due to the fact that patriarchy is ingrained in the Chicana/o culture. In opposition to the patriarchy, contemporary Chicana/o authors like Lucha Corpi and Michael Nava through their work challenge it and offer a reinterpretation of previously neglected or misinterpreted historical figures. With Gloria’s transgression into traditional masculine spaces as a Chicana detective and the reinterpretation of La Malinche, Corpi in Black Widow’s Wardrobe does justice to Malinche for the agency which she was deprived off by
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Historically, most protagonists of the detective novels have been male, while female characters are portrayed either as hysterical or as the damsel in distress (Ruiz, Lecture, 4/19/16). On the contrary to the traditional masculine detective, Gloria is an independent and excellent professional. With Gloria’s symbolic transgression into a role dominated by male characters, Corpi diversifies the detective role. By diversifying the role of a detective in crime fiction, Corpi gives representation to non-fictional women that work in these professions. For example, Gloria is a mother, a widow, but also a woman in a romantic relationship with Justin. Gloria describes the pain of losing her first husband; however that did not end with her independent life or stopped her from allowing herself another opportunity to love. This is important because it highlights that women can maintain a professional career regardless of their romantic relationship with men. In addition, after her first husband’s death she did not need saving, rather she recovered alone. Likewise with Justin, she enjoys calling him to share details about her life but she never asks him for help or is dependent on him in other ways. With Gloria’s transgression into traditional masculine spaces, the novel is a precursor into the gender …show more content…
Octavio Paz interprets La Malinche as the representation of the Indian women that were voluntarily and involuntary sexually involved with the Spaniards, while at the same time claims that “she gave herself voluntarily to the conquistador” (Paz 25). On the other hand, through an intensive historical research of the life of Malinche, the text offers a new interpretation of her. The novel also stresses the lack historical record of Malinche regardless of her key role in the Conquista, reflecting her stolen or lack of agency. The narrative defines Malinche as Malintzin Tenepal: “a Nahuatl princess”, “sold into slavery by her own widowed mother”, “given to [Cortez] as a gift” and being “used [as Cortez’s] tongue, ears, and mind” (Corpi 57). This interpretation of Maliche contradict Paz’s version about Malinche giving herself voluntarily to Cortez. Paz’s interpretation neglects the possibility that she was a victim of both her family and later Cortez. Furthermore, he disregards to give her recognition for her intelligence, ability to survive multiple adversities and her central role on the Conquest of Mexico. Paz idealization of Cuauhtémoc creates a dichotomy between him and Malinche, through this distinction it is impossible to ignore the importance that gender plays in regards to the
Historically, most protagonists of the detective novels have been male, while female characters are portrayed either as hysterical or as the damsel in distress (Ruiz, Lecture, 4/19/16). On the contrary to the traditional masculine detective, Gloria is an independent and excellent professional. With Gloria’s symbolic transgression into a role dominated by male characters, Corpi diversifies the detective role. By diversifying the role of a detective in crime fiction, Corpi gives representation to non-fictional women that work in these professions. For example, Gloria is a mother, a widow, but also a woman in a romantic relationship with Justin. Gloria describes the pain of losing her first husband; however that did not end with her independent life or stopped her from allowing herself another opportunity to love. This is important because it highlights that women can maintain a professional career regardless of their romantic relationship with men. In addition, after her first husband’s death she did not need saving, rather she recovered alone. Likewise with Justin, she enjoys calling him to share details about her life but she never asks him for help or is dependent on him in other ways. With Gloria’s transgression into traditional masculine spaces, the novel is a precursor into the gender …show more content…
Octavio Paz interprets La Malinche as the representation of the Indian women that were voluntarily and involuntary sexually involved with the Spaniards, while at the same time claims that “she gave herself voluntarily to the conquistador” (Paz 25). On the other hand, through an intensive historical research of the life of Malinche, the text offers a new interpretation of her. The novel also stresses the lack historical record of Malinche regardless of her key role in the Conquista, reflecting her stolen or lack of agency. The narrative defines Malinche as Malintzin Tenepal: “a Nahuatl princess”, “sold into slavery by her own widowed mother”, “given to [Cortez] as a gift” and being “used [as Cortez’s] tongue, ears, and mind” (Corpi 57). This interpretation of Maliche contradict Paz’s version about Malinche giving herself voluntarily to Cortez. Paz’s interpretation neglects the possibility that she was a victim of both her family and later Cortez. Furthermore, he disregards to give her recognition for her intelligence, ability to survive multiple adversities and her central role on the Conquest of Mexico. Paz idealization of Cuauhtémoc creates a dichotomy between him and Malinche, through this distinction it is impossible to ignore the importance that gender plays in regards to the