Gender Roles: Injustice & Machismo in "The Gold Vanity Set" and "To Julia de Burgos" Anonymous College

Gender roles are a set of societal norms that dictate the type of behavior that is deemed to be acceptable and desirable from people based on their sex. Considered to be a part of traditional roles, by some, gender roles have been used to raise individuals in a certain manner, even if it may not conform with one’s gender identity. This is expressed in Julia de Burgos’ poem, “To Julia de Burgos”, and Maria Cristina Mena’s story, “The Gold Vanity Set”, both who share the injustice and machismo behind the use of gender roles.

In Maria Cristina Mena’s “The Gold Vanity Set”, the concept of gender roles is expressed using culture and heritage. In “The Gold Vanity Set” we are introduced to Petra, an attractive young girl, who is married to Manuelo, an older man who seems to be an alcoholic. “Her last memory going to sleep was sometimes a blow, ‘Because he is my husband’, as she explained it to herself, and sometimes a kiss, ‘Because he loves me’” (p. 02), in her statement, the tone seems very accepting and passive. Petra is seen as being below her husband, being subjugated. These actions have led to her accepting her role within her marriage and community, which have led to her growing accustomed to the abuse she receives from her...