Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz ( )

Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz Considered one of the finest writers and greatest intellectuals of 17 th century Mexico or Latin America as a whole Proficient in theology, medicine, law, astronomy, mathematics, music Her Life: Childhood to becoming a nun Sor Juana’s works: El Sueno (The Dream) & Hombres Necios (You Foolish Men) Sor Juana’s Legacy

Elena Garro ( ) “¡ Ah, la que fue mujer de Paz!” (Ah, she was Paz’s wife!)

Elena Garro She was a Mexican writer who published novels, stories, and plays Her works focus on the marginalization of women and Mexico’s indigenous Reached a level of recognition & importance in literature usually barred to women of her period Her take on the Mexican student movement of 1968 Her life after 1968 – isolation

Los recuerdos del porvenir (Recollections of Things to Come) Written in 1950 and published in 1963, her 1 st published work It’s a story of a small town in South Mexico called Ixtepec during the Cristero War, a counter-revolution against the Mexican government Garro was opposed to the exploitation of the native population and the concern she has for them is depicted in this work This novel was the winner of a prestigious Mexican literary award Xavier Villarutia Prize in 1963

Rosario Castellanos

Rosario Castellanos ( ) Poet, novelist, essayist, and educator. Considered one of Mexico’s leading feminists Concerned with the plight of women and Mexico’s indigenous population Her great passion for writing Her works: Balun Canan (The Nine Guardians) & Mujer que sabe latin (Woman Who Knows Latin) Castellanos’ Legacy

Modesta Gomez This short story is about a poor unlucky mestiza woman named Modesta Gomez The story takes place in Ciudad Real also known as San Cristobal de las Casas the capital of Chiapas The story depicts the deprivation and violence in everyday life in Ciudad Real It depicts the divide between race, class, and gender in Ciudad Real and Mexico as a whole

Questions on Reading Would Modesta Gomez fall into Octavio Paz’s category of “chingada”? If so, describe how? Throughout this story, Castellanos concern with the exploitation of women and the indigenous population is revealed. Find a scene(s) that demonstrates each one of these concerns.

Elena Poniatowska

Elena Poniatowska (1933-) Feminist Mexican journalist, novelist, essayist, and short-story writer Her novels and short stories offer reflections & assessments of the roles of women, the disenfranchised, and society itself Her works: Hasta no verte, Jesus mio (Here is to you, Jesusa), La Noche de Tlatelolco (Massacre in Mexico), Nada, nadie, las voces del temblor (Nothing, Nobody: The Voices of the Mexico City Earthquake)

October 2, 1968

Mexico 1985 Earthquake