Autor: reneesoulodrelafrance
The temporal context for this case is rendered more intelligible given the influence of the enlightenment and the twin objectives of colonial authorities to reform society by civilizing the population while simultaneously solidifying its Christian morality....
There were some insidious ideas and attitudes that arose almost automatically in discussions of hermaphrodites, and these seem to transcend time and space. Some of these same issues arose from Martina’s case as well. One of...
Ironically, the very visibility of the body could sometimes lead to unusual challenges by colonial authorities. In Nueva Granada in the 1670s the Jesuit Diego Ximenez was caught in the snares of the Inquisition tribunal as...
Cases like that of Martina Parra provide us an opportunity to explore layers of attitudes and thoughts, mentalitées and practices, as different subaltern and dominant groups became involved. By putting the concerns raised by Martina’s sexual...
Renée Soulodre-La France has kindly agreed to have her article ‘What is in a body?’ republished via this blog. It originally appeared online in La Habana Elegante – Revista de literatura y cultura cubana, caribeña, latinoamericana,...