Student Question
What are the metaphorical implications of the titles: "Blood Wedding" and "The Kiss of the Spider Woman"?
Quick answer:
The metaphorical implications of "Blood Wedding" and "The Kiss of the Spider Woman" relate to themes of treachery, danger, and death, reflecting political struggles. "Blood Wedding" symbolizes the tragic conflict in 1930s Spain under Franco, with characters representing cultural and political tensions. "The Kiss of the Spider Woman" conveys themes of political oppression in 1976 Argentina, reflecting the harsh realities of a military regime. Both titles suggest perilous situations intertwined with love for self and nation.
The metaphorical implications for the reader of both these titles would be heavily grounded in the notions of death or danger. In order to understand the metaphor of each title, th ereader must be able to comprehend the metaphors throughout each piece as well as the cultural implications of each story line.
Blood Wedding or Bodas de Sangre by Lorca is a play about a love triangle that ends in tragic death. But it is also about the political struggle that was developing in Spain at the time of its production (1932). At the time, Spanish Fascism was headed by Franco. Franco was attempting to unify the country culturally and in so doing squash all individual autonomies from the surrounding Spanish provinces, particularly those of Catalonia, Basque, and Andalusia. Therefore the bride of the play can be seen as these autonomous cultures and the groom can be seen as Franco's Spain. Leonardo is thus true Spain with its unconditional love and freedom.
The Kiss of the Spider Woman or Beso de la Mujer Arana by Puig, is an Argentine novel written 1976. This is a story about Molina (a gay disigner, and Valentin, a revolutionary. Both are encarcerated together, sharing a cell. This story too is not really about love or death, or even truly about victimization, but rather the political strife that motivated its author. In 1976, Argentina was at the height of its military regime; her own fascist government. Like Franco, this government tortured and killed thousands of poeple and imprisoned its culture in an attempt to radically alter the cultural changes that had been taking place.
Therefore, the metaphorical implication of these titles is one of treachery, danger and death, but their literary works are really about love of self and country.
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