Women, Jews, and Muslims in the texts of reconquest Castile1996

In Women, Jews, and Muslims in the Texts of Reconquest Castile, Mirrer examines the connections between gender stereotyping in literary representations of women and Jewish and Muslim men and the denial of access of these groups to the discourses of power during the 400 years covered. The author clearly investigates how the feminization of Jewish and Muslim men and portrayal of the negative social consequences of power in the hands of women worked to institutionalize this denial of power. Second, Mirrer examines the relationship of masculine values and characteristics to the "militant Christian ideology," which developed in Castilian society over the period in question. Mirrer breaks new ground in her work with criticism of the traditional readings of male and female images in Castilian ballads of that era. She shows the traditional readings of harmony between the sexes and mutual admiration to be a perpetuation of a mystified and glorified vision of a repressive epoch and ideology. The author convincingly utilizes sociolinguistic analysis of texts to show the suppression of women, Jews, and Muslims through limitations on their access to powerful or, indeed, any language. Women, Jews, and Muslims in the Texts of Reconquest Castile is a solid contribution to the field of Hispanic studies. Mirrer's scholarship challenges long-held notions of medieval Spanish culture and will stimulate further research through her sound and innovative readings.