Power and Pawn: The Female in Iberian Families, Societies, and Cultures (Contributions in Intercultural and Comparative Studies)

Ann M. Pescatello. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. 240-273. Power and Pawn was written in recognition of the need for scholarly investigation on the woman's historical role. It describes, synthesizes, and interprets the role of the Iberian female in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America as well as those indigenous cultures influenced by the Iberians. Traditionally, the woman's sphere has been the private arena of family and household, while the man's has focused on public societal activities. To what extent then, has the woman acquired and used power, authority, and influence in Iberian cultures? In seeking these answers, Dr. Pescatello focuses on the dual interpretation of women as wellsprings of power and wielders of influence, and as pawns in cultures dominated by men