Zainab Salam

00059066

Q. 1. Based on the details presented on pages 25-26, what is the

"Other" and why is this term used to refer to women? (10 marks)

The other is used to represent women who are defined as everything that
the dominant male in society is not, lacking the qualities of value and
exposing the opposite who is the dominant group in society; the males. The
term is associated with women because the term itself other depicts
something secondary, undesirable and not prime. The prime element in
society depicts the male, whereas that secondary element in society is the
female who is considered to have no real value and is termed the other. The
concept of the other implies according to Simone de Beauvoir, as parts of the
body like that of her reproductive ability, where the female body becomes
alienated due to the energy she uses up. This has caused the other to limit
herself in terms of her potentials as oppose to the male.

During colonization the other could also refer to both males and females.
Nancy Hartsock points out that the other is pushed towards becoming an
object and he/she should exist only as a function of need of the colonizer
(Excerpt pg. 25). The other is similar to the relationship between the
colonizer and the colonized to that of the dominant male and the subordinate
female who implies the negative side, or what is margin.

Q. 2. How is the concept of La Malinche viewed? Is it a positive or

negative characterization? (You can Google "La Malinche" and read a
little more about her (if you did not do so in class)). (10 marks)

The concept of La Malinche is viewed as someone who was wronged but

yet betrayed. She represents betrayal, tragedy and exploitation and is seen
as a negative element to the Mexican people. La Malinche has been labeled
a harlot which may be flawed since she was totally loyal to Cortes, a one-man
woman, who loved her master. Cortes reciprocated her feelings. Time after
time he was offered other women but always refused them. Bernal Diaz
frequently commented on the nobility of her character and her concern for
her fellow "Mexicans."

She is viewed by many in a negative way since they see her as a traitor to
her people, who assisted Hernan Cortez to control and converts the
indigenous people. However, for many La Malinche is not characterized
negatively since to them she was wronged and violated.
Many have view Malinche as one that saved thousands of Indian lives by
enabling Cortes to negotiate rather than slaughter. Her ability to
communicate also enabled the Spaniards to introduce Christianity and
attempt to end human sacrifice and cannibalism. La Malinche was forced
into the role of a lover and not as a wife sanctioned by the church and as
such the Mexican women are taught not to follow in her footsteps. It is widely
accepted that the negativity of La Malinche derives from a human trying to
survive colonization at the hand of an evil nation. La Malinche according to
Octavia Paz is, the mother of the nation, which led to the development of
ambiguous subjectivity and identity conflict in Mexico. She is to many a
scapegoat

Q. 3. Why is Sor Juana viewed as the third archetype? (5 marks)

The third archetype is neither characterized as bad nor as self-sacrificing but

as another type which has evolved that was not prevalent in society at that
time. This third archetype as represented by Sor Juana is one who goes
against the norm, who has decided not to marry and lives in a cloister in
order to study and get an education. Hence, due to the fact she choose not
to marry, many has labeled her as a homosexual, since education was
associated with the males and masculinity at that time.

Q. 4. What is the justification presented for the "aggressiveness"

associated with Machismo? (10 marks)

This justification for the aggressiveness associated with machismo stems

from that concept itself that has shaped their social understanding of
sexuality and gender identity along with the role and conditions expected of
women in society. Society has taught man through the concept of Machismo
and through socialization that they are superior to women as such, theyre
never to back down, and they are masters, aggressive, invulnerability,
insensitivity, and promiscuity. All these traits therefore are widely accepted
as the norm for men; these concepts have socially geared the role of man
and the opposite of these are the role of women. With these qualities they
dominate the females and they adopt an aggressive manner to those who go
against the norm. However, these same traits have in reality expunged their
nature that is, the lack of national identity and low self-worth. The
aggressiveness of the machismo man is widely accepted as the norm; it
requires the control of women.

Q. 5. What does this author think determines the "gender identity"

of the Mexican people? (5 marks)

The gender identity of the Mexican people are determined by the three
various archetypes that exists. The first type represented by La Malinche;
Malinchismo, the second by La Guadalupe also known as marianismo and the
third by Sor Juana. Along with these three archetypes is also the term
machismo that represents the dominating male. According to the author, all
these represent an important aspect of Mexicos gender.

Additionally, in Mexico there is another type that is disliked, Marimacho a

tomboy of dubious sexuality as distinct from a genuine woman.

Q. 6. Give a 100 word summary of your thoughts on this excerpt.

(10 marks)

This excerpt explains the crisis of gender identity and social roles and
expectations in the Mexican society that has evolved since from the time of
colonization through three main archetypes: Malinchismo, Marianismo and
Machismo. This has had a negative impact on the social development of
genders. It is apparent that Mexicans have not engaged themselves in talks
when it comes to creating a better understanding of gender identity and the
expectations of social roles. There is widespread discrimination against same
sex orientation and in the rural areas it is worst. Social structures still
continue to prevent women from developing and leading self-determined
lives.

Bibliography:

http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/224-la-malinche-harlot-or-
heroine