Analysis of the Life of Women in Colonial Mexico
Women in Colonial Mexico
“Subordinate Women” In “Women in Colonial Mexico” Julia Tuñón Pablos analyzes the life of women in colonial Mexico after the Spanish conquest. She specifically analyzes how the Spanish conquest impacted the Spaniard, African and Indigenous Mexican women and their loss of power and authority.
Pablos compares the Spanish and Indigenous society and proposes the question: “which tradition was more patriarchal? In other words: did women win or lose power and authority with the Spanish conquest?” (1) La Malinche, for instance, was an important symbol in the Spanish conquest of Mexico. She was Hernán Cortés’ interpreter and mistress and her role became a controversial one. To many, she was a traitor, and to others a distinguished woman. Pablos states “Marina has been institutionalized as the symbol of mestizaje [meaning, the mixing of Spanish and Native Mexican blood]…” Her reputation changed as people were incomprehensive of her actual role in society. Like all other women, she was an object in the Spanish conquest and a subordinate woman. La malinche was offered as a gift from her father to Hernán Cortés, was baptized Christian, and she served Cortés until she disposed of her and married her to one of his soldiers ignoring the fact that they had a son together. All because it was acceptable in their “society of Mesoamerican traders” not because she accepted.
Although it was empowering to have such a role, she had to sacrifice amd lose her identity because of it and was subordinated. Now, her history as Pablos explains is used as an insult. Because La Malinche, or Marina,“represents Lo chingado, or that which is opened up, is split apart, is given, and, in the process, is contaminated, broken, and eschewed by others.” (2) to people who view her as a traitor and when someone uses that insult they are referring to La Malinche and representing how
“Subordinate Women” In “Women in Colonial Mexico” Julia Tuñón Pablos analyzes the life of women in colonial Mexico after the Spanish conquest. She specifically analyzes how the Spanish conquest impacted the Spaniard, African and Indigenous Mexican women and their loss of power and authority.
Pablos compares the Spanish and Indigenous society and proposes the question: “which tradition was more patriarchal? In other words: did women win or lose power and authority with the Spanish conquest?” (1) La Malinche, for instance, was an important symbol in the Spanish conquest of Mexico. She was Hernán Cortés’ interpreter and mistress and her role became a controversial one. To many, she was a traitor, and to others a distinguished woman. Pablos states “Marina has been institutionalized as the symbol of mestizaje [meaning, the mixing of Spanish and Native Mexican blood]…” Her reputation changed as people were incomprehensive of her actual role in society. Like all other women, she was an object in the Spanish conquest and a subordinate woman. La malinche was offered as a gift from her father to Hernán Cortés, was baptized Christian, and she served Cortés until she disposed of her and married her to one of his soldiers ignoring the fact that they had a son together. All because it was acceptable in their “society of Mesoamerican traders” not because she accepted.
Although it was empowering to have such a role, she had to sacrifice amd lose her identity because of it and was subordinated. Now, her history as Pablos explains is used as an insult. Because La Malinche, or Marina,“represents Lo chingado, or that which is opened up, is split apart, is given, and, in the process, is contaminated, broken, and eschewed by others.” (2) to people who view her as a traitor and when someone uses that insult they are referring to La Malinche and representing how