Rosario Castellanos, born in Mexico City and raised in Comitán, Chiapas, is a pivotal figure in Mexican literature, renowned for her profound engagement with themes of personal and social alienation. Her works, deeply influenced by her experiences of familial neglect and solitude, reflect a lifelong commitment to literature and a relentless critique of social injustices. This commitment is evident throughout her acclaimed short fiction collections such as Ciudad Real, Los convidados de agosto, and Album de familia, where Castellanos's acute awareness of the discrimination against indigenous communities and women in patriarchal societies comes to the forefront. In her analysis, Cynthia Duncan underscores the power dynamics of language, particularly with respect to language barriers in Castellanos's narrative "La tregua."

Castellanos's narrative techniques evolved over time, with critics noting her increasing use of humor to deconstruct cultural myths about women. Nina M. Scott highlights this aspect, while Beth Miller discusses the transition of her stories from rural to urban settings. These shifts parallel a growing complexity in her narrative style. Critics such as Phyllis Rodriguez-Peralta and Helene M. Anderson emphasize her efforts to demystify women's roles and examine the structures of power that underlie societal interactions.

The evolution of Castellanos's storytelling is evident as she moves from rural to urban backdrops, illustrating how language and communication—or their absence—reinforce societal power structures. Her later works, exemplified by "Lección de cocina" from Family Album, are praised by George R. McMurray for their symbolic portrayal of marriage and societal roles. This story, in particular, showcases her adept use of humor to subtly challenge patriarchal norms.

Overall, critics celebrate Castellanos for her insightful exploration of language as a tool for both oppression and liberation. Her work, as Frances R. Dorward notes, also significantly contributes to the evolution of Mexico's indigenista literature. Through her interrogation and dismantling of societal hierarchies, Castellanos has solidified her legacy as one of Mexico's most respected literary figures.