European Spanish Women in the New World

save above wholly the presence of European Spanish women in the New human race had the effect of duplicating the troupe, and validating the civilized nature of that society, vis-?-vis the Old being. Padden cites the unsparing way of life of aristocratic families, such that "daughters were dowered with hundreds of thousands of pesos, hitherto millions" (xxiv) and the fact that "ladies dressed in luxurious fabrics from Tuscany trimmed with Milanese silver and gold laces" (xxv) as examples of the gentility of society in New Spain. The presence of women in an alien land, and above any the flourishing of families through several generations, which had the effect of creating New demesne Spaniards who never saw Spain, is evidence of the kind of social stability associated with long-established societies. set up and Cook cite "courageous women who ventured to the Indies in the premature expeditions [and left] an indelible mark on colonial Hispanic society" (xii).

On the other hand, as Padden points out (xxix), the New origination could also be violent and disorganized, replete with ethnic rivalries and dueling save non necessarily with courtly formalities and traditions of such encounters veritable(prenominal) of the Old World. Colonial culture in some nib developed a life of its own. The opening of the New World "and Spain's penetration of it . . . pro

Arzans de Orsa y Vela, Bartolome. Tales of Potosi. Trans. Frances M. Lopez-Morillas. capital of Rhode Island: Brown UP, 1975.

What make Noguerol's story relevant to an understanding of the commit of colonial women in New Spain ar the details of his house servant experience in Peru. For example, once he had received a royal encomienda, or land grant and every last(predicate)otment of Indian serfs, Noguerol formally applied for an annulment (Cook and Cook 19). At this time, he awaits to have been living conjugally with one or more than women, a domestic arrangement that would have been impossible in Spain, even for men. It was at this time, too, that Noguerol received his sisters' letters about his wife's final stage (Cook and Cook 169). Mean tour, dona Catalina had arrived in Peru with her husband, Dr.

Tejada, a viceregal assistant who died while on a voyage to Bermuda. The widow had no family in Peru except that of her late husband's and indeed had left her children in Spain. It was expect in her social circle that she would re link up; however, she "steadfastly refused to marry anyone who could not assure her that he would take her back to Spain" (Cook and Cook 15). In the interim, she administered Tejada's property and estate, as well as the turnround of her dowry, with some independence. Indeed, her intelligence and competence, as well as beauty, appear to have been one of the attractions for Noguerol (Cook and Cook 97).

In "Claudia the Witch," the evils of coca-leaf chewing are articulated, but the heart of the story is the fact that men and women from all classes repeatedly and successfully seek the aid of the sorceress. Claudia's sorcery is ascribed to the " helplessness and want of understanding" in women, daughters of Eve the temptress (Arzans 124). But one can say this for Claudia, that she exercises significant independence, and that she is remarkable not least because she is "the only Spanish woman who followed this trade" (125) in New Spain. It may also be said that in Old Spain Claudia might we
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